(INA) publishes the joint statement regarding the visit of the Spanish Prime MinisterPedro Sánchez to Baghdad

Baghdad-INA

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) publishes, today, Thursday, the text of the joint statement regarding the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Baghdad.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed S. Al Sudani, and his counterpart Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, met in Baghdad on December 28, 2023.

1. Both leaders underlined the excellent state of the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of Spain based on the historic relations between both countries and their peoples. They both agreed to continue to work together and continue expanding the relationship for the benefit of their two peoples. They decided to begin contacts in order to convey, when appropriate, a new meeting of the Political Consultations framework, following the positive result of the meeting in 2020, in order to discuss matters of common interest and to deepen the bilateral relations.

2. The economic and commercial relations of Iraq and Spain have a wide potential for development, including in the fields of defence and security, infrastructure, transportation and water management. Both leaders agreed to pursue the diversification of the bilateral economic and trade relations by encouraging Spain's involvement in the reconstruction of Iraq and modernization of its economy. Both leaders agreed to convene a meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in Baghdad in 2024, in order to continue to strengthen the bilateral economic ties. 

3. Spain contributes actively in the international non-combat efforts to support the security and the development of the Armed Forces of Iraq, both in the framework of the Global Coalition Against Daesh ("Operation Inherent Resolve") and in NATO's effort to achieve modern and well prepared Iraqi Armed Forces and Security Institutions through the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). On May 24, 2023, Spain assumed the command of the NMI. Iraq is committed to ensuring that the activities of international forces supporting the Iraqi Government at its request, which are beneficial to the Iraqi people and the international community, are carried out in a safe and secure environment.

4. Both leaders highlighted the efforts of Spain within the European Union, the G20, and the United Nations to promote effective multilateralism and solidarity, universal respect for Human Rights; the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the empowerment of women and youth at a global scale; the advancement of peace, security and stability through dialogue; the defence of a rules-based international order; the economic support to developing countries, and the fight against terrorism.

5. Both leaders also agreed on the importance of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership (Baghdad Conference) as a diplomatic tool to prevent regional escalation of violence and as a framework to promote regional cooperation and conflict resolution. Spain acknowledged the pivotal role of Iraqi efforts to facilitate resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

6. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unbearable. Iraq and Spain welcome the United Nations Security Council Resolution of December 22, 2023, which calls to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Both countries jointly call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities. Both leaders believe that it is necessary to provide a credible political perspective to end the conflict based on the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
  
7. Iraq and Spain agree to continue to work towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

8. The two leaders agreed that the climate emergency constitutes a direct and existential threat to the global community and to human livelihoods, which requires strong and ambitious action by all countries. Both leaders shared their concern about the impact of droughts, aggravated by climate change and with serious effects on their territories. Iraq and Spain explored possibilities to boost their cooperation in bilateral projects related to water and sanitation. Prime Minister Sudani announced that Iraq will join the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), an initiative launched by Spain and Senegal at the COP27 that responds to the urgent need to provide more coordinated, collaborative, and effective global action to build drought resilience at global, regional, national and local levels and aims to boost political action in support of countries, cities, and communities. 

9. Both leaders have agreed to develop their relations in the field of higher education and the teaching of Spanish language. Furthermore, regarding the promotion of Spanish language, Spain shared its desire to revitalize the Baghdad extension of the Cervantes Institute, to better identify potential teachers and to launch a teacher-training program.

10. Finally, both leaders agreed to enhance the bilateral relations in other fields of common interest, such as cooperation on justice affairs, the fight against corruption, and cooperate in the fields of tourism, health, sports, historical heritage, and culture, for which they agree to remain engaged.