Iraq is an 'interesting market': Danish ambassador

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The relationship between Denmark and Iraq is strong as Copenhagen sees the country as an “interesting market”, the Danish ambassador to Iraq told Rudaw on Tuesday.

“It [Iraq] has always been an interesting market to us, it has been a good country to collaborate with internationally,” Stig Paolo Piras told Rudaw’s Bestoon Othman on Tuesday.

Piras further added that Denmark is home to many Iraqis, noting that the Iraqis are active in the Danish economy, culture, and politics.

The ambassador addressed the current political deadlock in Iraq, stating that Iraq is still a young democracy and some steps still need time and patience, hoping that the impasse does not lead to violence.

“I think violence is always a risk when you have these kind of deadlocks… We need a [Iraqi] government that can work and make reforms. But it’s also a young democracy, Iraq, and some of these things will take some time, I think we also have to have that patience.”

Iraq held elections in October following demands from nationwide protests, however, over eight months after the election, a new government is yet to be formed in the country due to political tensions.

Regardless of the political situation in the country, Piras said that he considers Iraq’s democratic experience until now a “success story” as the country has been able to hold five consecutive democratic election.

Speaking of Denmark’s military support to Iraq, Piras said that cooperation continues between both countries.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) training mission in Iraq began in October 2018, Denmark took charge of the mission for an 18-month period in December 2020.

“NATO mission is not a training mission as many people believe. It is actually an advisory mission where we help on a strategic level to modernize the defense forces and the ministry of defense,” Piras said.

Addressing outstanding issues between the two leading Kurdish parties - the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - and its impact on the political deadlock in Iraq, the Danish ambassador said that he has always encouraged the two parties to cooperate, adding that their unity creates a stronger voice for the Kurds.

“I think all disagreements in Iraq basically on big issues is not good for Iraq, but in a democracy you have different voices,” he said.

The KDP and PUK have taken opposing sides in the quest to form Iraq's next government, with the KDP joining forces in a tripartite alliance with the Sadrist bloc and the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance, and the PUK allying with the Coordination Framework, a pro-Iran Shiite alliance.

Furthermore, the two leading Kurdish parties have failed to compromise on a candidate for the Iraqi presidency, as the KDP has fielded Reber Ahmed in opposition to the PUK’s choice of the incumbent Barham Salih.

Updated at 5:55 pm