French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 to Baghdad
February 27, 2010
Baghdad - Paris: features a new phase of cooperation in various fields
Talabani stressed the importance of relations with France
بغداد – الصباح BAGHDAD - morning
Take the course of relations between Baghdad and Paris several directions for shaping a new phase of economic and trade cooperation, with emphasis on the political dimension of the historical relationship between the two countries and which carried within them during the years a steady development in various fields.
And allowed for the meeting President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday separately with the envoy of French President Nicolas Sarkozy a chance to display the positive atmosphere that Iraq is experiencing, especially to prepare for legislative elections, and their importance to the future of the country and its democratic, and emphasized that Iraq is not longer poses a threat to the region was imposed on the Paris an active role in supporting his efforts to get out of the under Chapter VII and international sanctions imposed on it because of the policies of the former regime.
The president said during his meeting with Talabani at his compound in Sulaimaniya on Saturday, and French Industry Minister Christian Estrusi and his entourage: the «historical relations between the two countries and a good old». He added that «it is important to build on our historical and ancient future relations firm, expanded, and this visit will to develop these relations, explaining that the« French Memories in Iraq is the memory of culture and progressive ideas, democracy and human rights organizations and all of these principles grew in France. and the President of the Republic that the climate in the country suitable for the establishment of better and broader relations with France , noting that visit by President Nicolas Sarkozy to Baghdad was a great moral support and contributed to the consolidation of cooperation frameworks between the two countries.
Talabani said he looked forward to the contribution of French companies in a campaign of reconstruction and other investment fields, especially in the province of Kurdistan and the safe areas in the south and center, At the same time reviewing the course of heated political situation in the country, particularly the ad campaigns of blocks and competing forces in the legislative elections, also expressed optimism b a promising future and bright for the new Iraq.
In turn, stressed the French Minister of Industry's desire to expand relations with Iraq in all fields. Estrusi noted that the delegation visited Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region is living proof of France's interest in Iraq and President Sarkozy's strong desire to strengthen and expand relations in all fields and commitment to implement the promises made to help of the Iraqi people in all areas, offering the deals clinched by the French delegation with the Iraqi side, as well as to help the Kurdistan region in the field of agriculture and the development of the agricultural reality.
The minister conveyed the greetings of the guest Sarkozy and other senior officials to President Talabani, highlighting the importance of the visit of the President of the Republic to France recently, describing them as a »important» they contributed significantly to the expansion of relations between the two countries . On the other hand Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Iraq's desire to develop relations with France in all fields especially the economic and industrial development.
The government statement quoted Maliki as saying during his meeting with French Minister of Industry: I am happy to hear that French companies got a job in Iraq for the holdings of these companies from the reputation and experience we need in the process of construction, which gives a new opportunity for cooperation and strengthen relations between the two countries , expressed his ambition to set up« relations and strategic projects in the areas of oil, industry and infrastructure and not confining the work of French companies on a specific sector, but to include the fields of water and sewage systems and airline, automotive and agricultural equipment.
He stressed that Iraq is a country not a threat to the region and focused our efforts towards reconstruction and the remaining face of terrorism, and expressed the aspiration of the role of France and all friendly countries and assistance to Iraq to stand by his side to get out of Chapter VII and international sanctions imposed on it because of the policies of the former regime.
He said al-Maliki: The «ours is experiencing the atmosphere of democracy and the Parliament, central government and local governments operate in accordance with regulations established for the work of the provinces, appreciating the positions of the French President and the Prime Minister in support of Iraq. For his part, said French Industry Minister: that our presence in Iraq Although the electoral momentum confirms our desire to develop relations between the two countries, we have concluded with the Ministry of Industry series of contracts in the areas of vehicle assembly, roads and civil aviation network and visited Rusafa water, in the hope that there is cooperation in the areas of oil and energy, electricity and agriculture, again at the same time support his country's government in its efforts to maintain security and stability and contributing to the development of the Iraqi economy and the process of reconstruction. Estrusi He was inaugurated yesterday the Center for French businessmen in Baghdad, in a move described by the Ministry of Industry b task in the economic relations between the two countries.
He said French Industry Minister on the sidelines of inauguration of the center near the headquarters of his country's embassy in Baghdad at a news conference yesterday: that the center will play a major role in providing full support to French companies operating in Iraq, as well as facilitating the entry of businessmen in the Iraqi market and to activate cooperation between Paris and Baghdad in all areas.
He added that Iraq is a major investment market for international companies in sizes up to 600 billion dollars, noting that the figure is ambitious companies and French businessmen to obtain business and investment projects in Iraq.
For his part, Minister of Industry Fawzi Hariri, said the «opening of the center represents a positive signal from France to enter the companies and entrepreneurs strongly to the Iraqi market, as well as the expertise and support capabilities and French investments.
Hariri noted that «the economic composition of the delegation accompanying the French Industry Minister of France 15 companies from all sectors to indicate the diversity of economic projects which will hopefully be done by these companies in Iraq during the next term, pointing out that «the great interest shown by France in support of the country in various areas, particularly in the economy that would deepen relations with it.
He pointed out that Iraq is seeking to re-French companies to take advantage of the territory and in the field of oil, gas and electricity and the rehabilitation of industry and agriculture.
In Arbil, the President of the Government of the Territory Barham Saleh to the investment law and stable security situation and the facilities provided by the provincial government will encourage foreign companies to invest in it.
Saleh said in a joint press conference after meeting with French Minister of Industry in Erbil yesterday, that the investment and stable security situation in the region, in addition to the facilities offered by the government will encourage foreign companies to invest in., saying that is the right time French companies to invest in the region . For his part, said Estrusi: we have discussed with the benefit of the modalities of participation of French companies in the reconstruction and investment », adding that he« was considered an important economic aspects of cooperation in the fields of industry, agriculture, aviation and trade for the benefit of the parties .
The The visiting delegation included the French ambassador to Iraq, Boris Bwalun and a number of parliament members and government representatives, businessmen and heads of leading companies, in addition to a number of media channels. Relations between the two countries during the last period a marked improvement after the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 to Baghdad, Paris turned off about 80 percent of Iraq's debt in a move aimed at improving the economic reality in the country and revive the reconstruction processes taking place in Iraq.
