Iraqi Parliament to Review Iraq-France Strategic Pact
Iraq's parliament will hold first readings for four draft laws Sunday, including the Iraq-France strategic partnership agreement signed in 2023.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Iraqi parliament will convene on Aug. 23, 2026, to hold first readings on four draft laws, including legislation to approve the strategic partnership agreement between Iraq and France, according to the parliament's media office.
The parliament's media office published the agenda for session number 11, set to begin at 1 p.m. and dedicated to first readings of four separate pieces of legislation.
The first item on the agenda is the first reading of a draft law amending the Industrial Cities Law No. 2 of 2019. The draft, prepared by the Economy, Industry and Trade Committee, consists of seven articles.
The second item is the first reading of a draft law regulating renewable energy. The Electricity and Energy Committee prepared the draft, which consists of 23 articles.
The third item involves the first reading of a draft law amending the Civil Defense Law No. 44 of 2013. The draft, prepared by the Security and Defense Committee, consists of seven articles.
The fourth and final item is the first reading of a draft law to ratify the strategic partnership agreement between the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of France. The Foreign Relations Committee prepared the draft, which consists of two articles.
The strategic agreement between Iraq and France was signed during a visit by then-Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, on Jan. 24, 2023. The agreement serves as a roadmap for expanding and developing bilateral relations across several fields.
In the economic and investment sector, the agreement emphasizes economic cooperation, sustainable development and encouraging French companies to operate in Iraq.
In the energy and fuel sector, it supports the implementation of major energy contracts, including Total Energies' large-scale project to generate electricity through solar power and utilize natural gas.
On security, the agreement calls for strengthening security coordination to protect Iraq's sovereignty and establish peace and stability in the region.
On anti-corruption efforts, it commits France to cooperating with the Iraqi government on corruption cases and emphasizes efforts to recover stolen Iraqi assets and funds transferred abroad.
In culture and education, the agreement provides for cultural and educational exchange and drawing on French expertise and scientific capacity.
The parliamentary session marks a step toward formalizing one of Iraq's key strategic partnerships with a European power, alongside domestic legislative priorities spanning industry, energy and civil defense.