ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein received his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Baghdad on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy, security, and defense sectors.
“I received today in Baghdad Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between our two friendly countries, especially in the economic, security, and defense sectors,” Hussein said in a statement on X.
The talks also addressed “developments in the region” and the need “to prevent conflicts” and work towards “containing them and their effects.” They also discussed “the importance of confronting the threat of ISIS and the role of the [US-led] Global Coalition in this regard.”
Later in the day Hussein and Barrot held a joint press conference.
The Iraqi foreign minister described his country’s relationship with France as strong and based on long-standing cooperation.
“Our relationship with France is extensive. France played a key role in the [US-led] international coalition during our fight against ISIS,” Hussein said.
In addition to being an active member in the US-led Global Coalition to defeat ISIS, France has deployed troops in northeast Syria (Rojava) and has recently joined the Americans in their efforts to unite Syrian Kurds through facilitating intra-Kurdish talks that have been stalled for years.
The two officials also discussed enhancing defense cooperation, including possible arms purchases from France, and further addressed the ongoing threat of terrorism in Syria and strategies to counter it.
“We support Syria’s stability as part of efforts to build an inclusive political process,” Hussein said.
The foreign ministers also expressed their backing for the revived Iran-US talks.
Hussein highlighted Iraq’s backing of the renewed engagement between Washington and Tehran over the latter’s nuclear program, stressing that diplomacy remains the only path to achieving peaceful and constructive outcomes.
A new round of talks between the US and Iran began between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff about Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief began in Oman in mid-April.
