Meloni: Iraq is a friend of Italy

INA-  BAGHDAD 

Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, confirmed Friday her country's interest in the presence of Italian companies in Iraq, while noting that Iraq is a country that has achieved important steps in the field of security stability.

 "Iraq is a friendly country to Italy, and I am happy with my first visit to Iraq," Meloni said, in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, expressing her "thanks to the Prime Minister for the warm reception."

 She added, "Iraq is a country that has achieved important steps in the field of security stability," stressing that "Italy has always supported Iraq."

She also continued, "We support the security and stability of Iraq," pointing to "her country's readiness to continue to work with Iraq."

He stressed that "Italy's relationship with Iraq is strong and solid," adding, "We are interested in the presence of Italian companies in Iraq."

She concluded by saying: "We have cultural cooperation with Iraq."

It’s mentioned that Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani held official talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her accompanying delegation, after her arrival in the capital, Baghdad, on Friday morning on an official visit.

 The statement of the Prime Minister's Media Office, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "the discussions included cooperation files in the fields of agriculture and health, and various aspects of economic and trade exchange."

 Al-Sudani "expressed his appreciation of the Italian role within the international coalition to fight ISIS," stressing "Iraq's intention to initiate paths of partnership and investment with Italy and all European Union countries."

 For her part, the Italian Prime Minister affirmed that "a strong Iraq is a condition for the prosperity and stability of the Middle East region," indicating that "her official visit to Iraq represents the beginning of distinguished relations linking the two friendly peoples, the Iraqi and the Italian."