Iraqi President Barham Salih arrived in Britain on Tuesday for a two-day official visit at the head of a high-level delegation including foreign ministers, oil and health ministers and other officials.
On his arrival in London, Saleh met with British Prime Minister Theresa Mai. During the visit, Queen Elizabeth II and Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt are expected to meet with senior British officials.
The visit is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries on the political and commercial levels and reaffirming their determination to continue working to develop the Iraqi economy and achieve stability and prosperity in Iraq and the region, especially by working to ensure permanent defeat of the state organization. Islamic.
Important stage
The British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the visit by saying that Iraq is at an important stage as he recovers from years of conflict, and works to strengthen relations with countries in the region and the world.
Hunt added that the UK will reaffirm during the visit its close and historical relations with Iraq and its commitment to continue working with him, including in the areas of security, defense, trade and prosperity. He pointed out that there are many common interests between the two countries, And reducing the escalation of tensions in the region.
British government spokeswoman for the Middle East and North Africa Alison King said the visit comes at a time when Iraq has taken many encouraging steps with regard to stabilization efforts, particularly through the creation of security and fighting corruption. And to continue its support for its efforts to achieve the stability and prosperity that Iraqis deserve.
"The importance that Britain attaches to its relations with Iraq is clearly evident through the level of intensive meetings that the Iraqi president will hold during his visit, especially for his meeting with Queen Elizabeth on Thursday," King said.
Barham Saleh's visit also includes a visit to the parliament, during which he will hold talks and meetings with the speaker and a number of its members, as well as a speech by the Iraqi president at the Chatham House Research Center and a meeting of the Iraqi-British Business Council. On the sidelines of the visit, an oil and gas conference will also be held by Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim.
Saleh's visit comes two months after a visit by British Minister of International Trade Liam Fox to Iraq, in which he announced the lifting of the amount allocated to provide guarantees that support British exports to Iraq, up to two billion pounds, because of the country has great opportunities for British companies in various fields.