ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The British Embassy Baghdad on Thursday expressed its excitement to continue working with Iraq, underlining the two countries’ long-standing relations, after the Iraqi foreign ministry accused the British ambassador of interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs.
"Our relationship with the Iraqi state is a deep and longstanding one, built today on a modern, forward-looking partnership. We are excited to continue to work together,” the mission told Rudaw English.
The Iraqi foreign ministry on Sunday handed Ambassador Stephen Hitchen a protest note over comments the ministry deemed as an “interference” in Baghdad’ internal affairs and painted “a bleak picture” of the country. It did not provide details to which comments it was referring.
On an episode of Rudaw Media Network’s Bestoon Talk broadcasted last week, Hitchen, while acknowledging improvements over the years, criticized the security situation in Iraq as a deterrent for tourists.
Hitchen also touched on issues that arise from integrating the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) into the Iraqi government.
The Islamic Dawa Party of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on the British ambassador to Baghdad to apologize for the comments it labeled as “provocative” and accused Hitchen of overstepping his diplomatic duties.
Iraq and the United Kingdom share strong relations in the fields of military and security, including their and signed a Strategic Partnership in 2021, aimed at increasing cooperation in economy, education, culture, and other sectors.