Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani kicked off on Thursday talks with officials in The Netherlands as Baghdad seeks to build a new relationship with countries of the international coalition that fought ISIS in Iraq.
The PM is accompanied by a high-level government delegation. He had paid visited to France and Germany last year to explore avenues to strengthen partnership and bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities in Iraq.
According to the PM’s office, Sudani’s visit came at invitation of his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte.
The officials held talks on agriculture, irrigation and water management technologies, as well as various economic and development sectors, said Sudani’s office in a statement.
The Iraqi delegation held meetings with representatives of prominent Dutch companies and Dutch economic leaders, businessmen, and representatives of institutions and companies keen on expanding cooperation with Iraq.
These meetings aim to foster partnerships and encourage contributions for infrastructure reconstruction and development projects in Iraq, the statement added.
Last month, Sudani informed Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren of Baghdad's decision to “rearrange the relationship” with the Global Coalition.
The Netherlands will take over the command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Iraq in mid-2024 amid a raging debate among Iraqi political and government circles over the nature of Baghdad’s relationship with the coalition.
The coalition was formed in 2014 after ISIS seized four Iraqi provinces located in the Sunni-majority western regions of the country.
A well-informed political source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that Sudani’s visit to Amsterdam has several goals.
It aims to tackle Iraq’s intention to form constructive bilateral relations with members of the coalition, including The Netherlands.
The PM will address the arrangements that will take place after The Netherlands assumes leadership of NATO in mid-2024.
