April 28, 2025 | Baghdad —
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made his first official visit to Iraq this week, marking an important step towards Historic Visit to Iraq deepening diplomatic ties between the two nations. His visit highlights France’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s sovereignty, regional stability, and development after years of conflict and reconstruction.
This visit also signals a broader effort by France to play a more active role in the Middle East, particularly in areas such as security, economic development, and cultural cooperation.
Strengthening Political and Economic Ties
During his trip to Baghdad, Minister Barrot held high-level talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas like defense, trade, culture, education, and energy.
Both sides expressed strong interest in boosting economic collaboration. France is already involved in several infrastructure and energy projects in Iraq, and this visit aims to encourage more French companies to invest in the country. Iraq, emerging from years of conflict, is eager to attract foreign investments to rebuild its economy and create job opportunities for its young population.
Another major point discussed was the proposal to organize the third Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. This conference would bring together regional countries and international partners to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on key challenges, such as security, development, and humanitarian aid. France, being a co-sponsor of previous editions of the conference, pledged its full support to make the upcoming meeting a success.
Focus on Regional Stability and Security Cooperation
One of the major topics during Minister Barrot’s meetings in Iraq was regional security. Both France and Iraq emphasized their shared commitment to combating terrorism and preventing the reemergence of extremist groups like ISIS.
Minister Barrot reaffirmed France’s dedication to helping Iraq strengthen its defense capabilities. France has long been involved in training and advising Iraqi security forces, and this cooperation is set to continue. In particular, France is helping Iraq improve its air defense systems, with the assistance of leading French defense companies such as Thales.
Both countries also discussed broader security issues in the region, including tensions between neighboring countries, the instability in Syria, and the threat posed by militias operating outside the control of the Iraqi government.
In a joint press briefing, Minister Barrot praised Iraq’s efforts to maintain internal stability and called for continued international support to ensure that Iraq’s hard-won gains against terrorism are preserved.
Important Engagements in the Kurdistan Region
After his meetings in Baghdad, Minister Barrot traveled to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. There, he met with Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss political, security, and economic developments.
The discussions touched on cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and France, particularly in the areas of investment, education, and cultural exchange. Minister Barrot emphasized France’s long-standing friendship with the Kurdish people and reiterated Paris’s support for Iraq’s unity and stability.
Minister Barrot also met with General Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Their meeting underlined France’s ongoing support for its partners in the fight against ISIS in northeastern Syria. France remains one of the few Western countries actively supporting the SDF in maintaining stability in the region.
The engagement with Kurdish leaders showed that France is keen to maintain strong relations with both the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities in Erbil.
Promoting Cultural and Educational Partnerships
Beyond political and military cooperation, Minister Barrot’s visit also focused on enhancing cultural and educational ties between France and Iraq.
Iraqi Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, welcomed the French delegation and encouraged greater French participation in Iraq’s cultural life. He stressed that Iraq, especially cities like Baghdad, has become significantly safer in recent years and is once again ready to host international cultural events and exchanges.
France has historically been a major supporter of Iraq’s cultural heritage, helping to preserve ancient sites and artifacts. Minister Barrot promised to increase French involvement in cultural restoration projects and support educational initiatives, such as scholarships for Iraqi students to study in France.
These efforts aim to build long-term people-to-people connections and help Iraq restore its historic role as a center of culture and learning in the Middle East.
Business Opportunities and Future Cooperation
The visit also included meetings with Iraqi business leaders to explore ways to expand French commercial activities in Iraq. With its vast oil and gas resources, as well as growing demand for infrastructure and technology, Iraq presents numerous opportunities for foreign investors.
French companies are already active in several sectors, including energy, transport, and security. Minister Barrot’s visit is expected to pave the way for new contracts and partnerships, especially in areas like renewable energy, telecommunications, and construction.
Both governments agreed to work towards removing barriers to trade and facilitating easier movement for business professionals between the two countries.
A New Chapter in Franco-Iraqi Relations
Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s historic visit to Iraq represents a new chapter in the relationship between France and Iraq. It sends a clear message of friendship, respect, and shared commitment to peace, development, and prosperity.
At a time when the Middle East continues to face numerous challenges — from terrorism to economic hardships — partnerships like that between France and Iraq offer a path toward greater stability and hope for the future.
With political dialogue, economic investment, cultural exchange, and security cooperation all on the agenda, the future of Franco-Iraqi relations looks brighter than ever.
As the world watches Iraq’s slow but steady recovery, France’s renewed engagement is a reminder that international partnerships are key to building a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.
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