BRUSSELS, March 20 (KUNA) -- The EU and Iraq agreed to further deepen their dialogue and cooperation around five areas, Trade and Investments (ii) Migration, (iii) Democracy & Human Rights, (iv) Energy and (v) Development Cooperation.
In a separate press release, the EU said the third meeting of the Cooperation Council of the European Union and Iraq was an important occasion for the parties to reiterate the great importance of their close partnership and agreed to enhance further cooperation.
After a pause of seven years, the Cooperation Council, offered the platform to reactivate the highest level of bilateral engagement foreseen under the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, it noted.
The EU and Iraq are important trading partners, and as such, they will work together to strengthen bilateral trade relations, it said.
The discussion also focused on migration and the EU and Iraq will continue to cooperate on migration.
Iraq and the EU committed to promoting democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights, in line with their international obligations.
Both sides lauded the excellent cooperation on security matters throughout various tools, notably, the anti-Da’esh coalition and EU civilian mission which has been assisting the authorities on Security Sector Reform since 2017, upon Iraqi request.
The EU commended Iraq’s efforts to foster regional dialogue, and welcomed the efforts of the Second Baghdad Conference, as well as Iraq hosting Saudi-Iranian talks, and the increasing trilateral cooperation between Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan.
The meeting was co-chaired by Josep Borrell, EU High Representative, and by Fuad Hussein, Iraqi Foreign Minister, in the presence of Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Interior Affairs, as well as the EU Member States Foreign Ministers, it added. (pickup previous) nk.mt