Al-Sudani and Macron Discuss Key Cooperation Areas in Landmark Phone Call
One of the key outcomes of the conversation was an agreement to form a joint team to establish a date for President Macron’s upcoming visit to Baghdad.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a significant diplomatic exchange, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani received a phone call on Saturday from French President Emmanuel Macron. During the call, both leaders engaged in an in-depth discussion on a wide range of topics of mutual interest, with a particular focus on regional security, political cooperation, and bilateral relations.
One of the key outcomes of the conversation was an agreement to form a joint team to establish a date for President Macron’s upcoming visit to Baghdad. This visit is expected to pave the way for discussions surrounding the potential third edition of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, a vital forum aimed at fostering cooperation among regional players and addressing shared concerns.
The call also saw alignment between Iraq and France on the future of Syria’s political process. Both sides stressed the importance of establishing a political framework that represents Syria's social diversity. They emphasized the need to combat terrorism and extremism, ensuring the promotion of a pluralistic, inclusive political system. Additionally, the leaders agreed on the critical importance of stabilizing Lebanon and advancing efforts to reconstruct Gaza, while urging the preservation of the fragile ceasefire and preventing any escalation that could arise from non-compliance.
Concerning broader regional tensions, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate efforts to enhance stability and avoid further escalation, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. They underscored the necessity of finding a peaceful resolution to the situation through dialogue, with a strong emphasis on de-escalation and diplomacy.
Prime Minister al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s steadfast commitment to nurturing and expanding its bilateral ties with France, particularly in the economic and cultural spheres. He highlighted the successful projects already undertaken by French companies in Iraq and emphasized the potential for further collaboration in these areas, particularly in light of the anticipated visit by President Macron.
In response, President Macron expressed France's eagerness to continue working closely with Iraq across various sectors. He reiterated France’s readiness to coordinate with Iraq in the global fight against terrorism, acknowledging the significant challenges posed by terrorism both locally and regionally. Macron also praised Iraq’s ongoing efforts and its crucial role in combating extremist threats.