Iraq
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, on January 26, 2023. Photo: Christophe Archambault/AFP
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron where they discussed Macron visiting Baghdad.
“During the call, both leaders agreed to form a joint team to schedule President Macron’s visit to Baghdad and explore the possibility of holding the third edition of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.
The first Baghdad conference was held in 2021. It was jointly organized with Paris and brought together Middle Eastern heads of state to discuss regional cooperation.
Sudani and Macron also discussed the latest regional developments and they “agreed on joint coordination to enhance stability and prevent further escalation. They emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian file, cautioning against escalatory actions, and highlighted the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue,” according to the Iraqi statement.
On Syria, they noted the need for inclusivity and representation of the country’s diverse population.
They also discussed countering terrorism and extremism, and called for stability in Lebanon and increased efforts for Gaza’s reconstruction and ceasefire.
France has been an integral part of the United States-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), which assists Iraqi, Kurdish, and local Syrian forces in the fight against the terror group.
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