Foreign Minister Meets Italian Counterpart in Rome and Discusses Exchanging Support in Various Fields

In 2 May 2021, Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein met with Italian Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Luigi Di Maio, in the Italian capital, Rome.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between Baghdad and Rome, and ways to consolidate them in the framework of strengthening joint cooperation between the two countries, and work to activate the Iraqi-Italian joint committee in a way that contributes to achieving the interests of the two friendly countries.

Mr. Hussien delivered a congratulations letter presented by Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to his Italian counterpart, H.E. Mr. Mario Draghi, on the occasion of assuming his new post, as well as an invitation to visit Iraq.

Mr. Hussien also expressed his thanks for Italy’s stances in support of Iraq, especially in confronting the ISIS terrorist group through the participation in the International Coalition and the NATO mission.
H.E. affirmed that Iraq has now become an attractive arena for companies and foreign investments in various sectors after achieving victory over ISIS terrorist groups, establishing security, and being politically open to its regional and international surroundings, noting to the importance of compatibility of the cooperation strategy between the two friendly countries, and Iraq’s keenness to have the vital presence of the competent Italian companies in the field of energy and oil, and to benefit from the Italian expertise in the field of antiquities.

The two ministers also discussed a number of issues of common interest as well as issues related to international organizations, including the United Nations, and the expansion of cooperation in the field of mutual support to obtain membership in international organizations and councils.

Mr. Hussein also touched on the issue of accounts and funds frozen since the demise of the former regime in 2003 in Italian banks and the need to solve it.
For his part, Mr. Di Maio expressed the condolences of the Italian government over the Ibn Al-Khatib hospital accident, in which a number of citizens lost their lives wishing mercy to the victims and a speedy recovery for the wounded. He affirmed his country’s keenness to deepen the ties of relations between the two friendly countries, stressing the exrrted efforts and communications with the competent authorities to solve the issue of frozen funds in Italy, indicating that in the future he would conduct a visit to Iraq to closely examine the Iraqi reality and its various aspects.