Iraqi Ambassador Meets UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

His Excellency Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom, met with Mr Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, at his office at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). His Excellency congratulated Mr Doughty on assuming his new responsibilities, wishing him every success in carrying out his duties.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United Kingdom, and ways to further develop and strengthen them across various fields. The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments and emphasised the importance of the United Kingdom continuing to play its established diplomatic role in de-escalating tensions, working towards ending conflicts, and promoting security and stability in the region.

The meeting also reviewed the efforts of the Iraqi Government to consolidate security and stability, diversify the country’s economic base through cooperation with friendly and strategically important countries, build partnerships with the private sector, and combat corruption. The Ambassador encouraged the British side to seize the opportunities available for economic cooperation across various sectors and to promote investment in Iraq. He also stressed the importance of convening the bilateral dialogue meeting at the earliest opportunity, in a manner that would broaden the prospects for cooperation and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

Ambassador Al-Tamimi underscored the importance of continued support regarding visa application procedures for Iraqi citizens, particularly businesspeople and students, thereby contributing to greater people-to-people contact and strengthening cultural, economic and academic exchanges between the two countries. The meeting also addressed the importance of resuming direct flights between Iraq and the United Kingdom, given their role in strengthening relations between the two peoples, facilitating passenger travel, and promoting trade and investment.

The British Minister affirmed the importance the United Kingdom attaches to its relations with Iraq and its commitment to continuing cooperation and coordination with the Iraqi Government in pursuit of shared interests and in support of security, stability and prosperity in the region. He commended the positive contribution of the Iraqi community in the United Kingdom, particularly those working in the medical sector.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue consultations and coordination between the two sides in pursuit of the interests of the two friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by Counsellor Ahmed Mahdi Salih from the Political Section at the Embassy