policy
Within the framework of ongoing efforts by regulatory bodies to enhance regional and international cooperation in pursuing financial and administrative corruption, the Head of the Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lamami, revealed that Iraq has received a number of individuals wanted on corruption charges from the Arab Republic of Egypt. This came during an official meeting that brought together Al-Lamami and the Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq, Ahmed Hussein Khafaji, where they discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop joint coordination mechanisms between the two brotherly countries in regulatory sectors and combating the scourge of corruption. The head of the commission emphasized during the meeting the pivotal importance of concerted Arab efforts and joint coordination to confront corruption, particularly through channels of mutual legal assistance, the recovery of stolen funds and assets, as well as the extradition of fugitive suspects and the exchange of technical expertise. In this context, he praised the outstanding level of cooperation shown by the Egyptian authorities with their Iraqi counterparts, which has effectively resulted in handing over a group of individuals wanted by the Iraqi judiciary over corruption cases. The two sides also touched upon the importance of building close academic partnerships focusing on areas of corruption prevention and combating, activating knowledge exchange and twinning programs between the Iraqi and Egyptian academies specialized in fighting corruption. This orientation comes based on the provisions of the joint memorandum of understanding previously concluded between the Federal Integrity Commission and its counterpart, the Egyptian Administrative Control Authority, aiming to develop human competencies working in the regulatory field and adopt modern scientific methodologies. For his part, the Egyptian ambassador expressed his full readiness and his country's permanent keenness to strengthen ties of cooperation with Iraq, specifically regarding supporting the work of regulatory agencies, facilitating the procedures for recovering wanted individuals, and overcoming the legal and technical obstacles facing this file. The ambassador concluded his assurances by pointing out that Iraq's security and stability are considered an essential pillar and an integral part of Egyptian national security and comprehensive regional stability.
