policy
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi returned to the capital, Baghdad, early on Wednesday, after concluding his official European tour that encompassed France and Germany. The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a release that the tour included meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Al-Zaidi also held a joint press conference with the German Chancellor, chaired expanded discussions, and participated in the German-Iraqi Dialogue Forum. The agenda encompassed meeting with the CEO of Siemens and the accompanying delegation, and overseeing the signing of a principles agreement for energy cooperation (Phase 4) with Siemens. In Paris, he oversaw the signing of six memoranda of understanding and cooperation, namely: a letter of intent between the Ministry of Defense and Harmattan AI company, a declaration of intent between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of Armies, a declaration of intent for partnership in enhancing youth opportunities, research, and innovation, a declaration of intent regarding strengthening partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), a cooperation protocol for gas supply and sale with Total Energies, and a declaration of intent for civil aviation cooperation with the French Ministry of Transport. Additionally, he received the CEO of Total Energies, the head of Rothschild Bank, a group of heads and representatives of French companies, the head of the Arab World Institute, and a group of correspondents from French and foreign newspapers and media outlets.
