Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to London Meets the Speaker of the UK House of Commons

The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom, Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi, met with the Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, during an official visit to the Palace of Westminster in London to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations and regional developments.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed Iraqi-British relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation across the political, economic, commercial, cultural and parliamentary spheres, with the aim of elevating relations to broader and more advanced levels. They also discussed developments in the Middle East and the potential adverse repercussions of any closure of the Strait of Hormuz on the Iraqi economy in particular and the global economy more generally.

Both sides commended the balanced and constructive role played by the United Kingdom in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and bridge differing perspectives, thereby contributing to the pursuit of sustainable solutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

The two sides also agreed on the UK Parliament’s support for Iraq’s efforts to diversify its economy, as well as its endeavours to establish alternative channels for exporting Iraqi oil to global markets, particularly European markets. The understandings reached also included support from the UK Parliament for the Embassy’s efforts to facilitate the issuance of entry visas for Iraqi businesspeople, investors, scientists and academics travelling to the United Kingdom, in coordination with the UK Home Office.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Speaker accompanied His Excellency the Ambassador on a tour of the parliamentary estate, during which the Ambassador signed the official visitors’ book. The visit was also commemorated by the raising of the Iraqi flag at the entrance to the UK Parliament as a gesture of welcome reflecting the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The meeting was attended from the Embassy side by Counsellor Amer Abdulhussein Al-Fatlawi. Representing the British side were Ms Helen Wood, Secretary to the Speaker and Head of the Speaker’s Office; Mr David Clark, Deputy Head of Office and Director of External Affairs; and Ms Jackie Storer, Secretary to the Speaker.

Photos Copyright House of Commons