"We have mobilized a financing facility of one billion euros to implement major projects in construction, transportation, energy and water: they can provide Iraq with essential infrastructure and services for its people,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein after they met in the Iraqi capital.
A portion of the funds will also be earmarked for helping Iraqis displaced by conflict return home, Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed al-Sahaf told Rudaw English.
After years of conflict and government mismanagement and corruption, Iraq’s infrastructure is crumbling. The country is plagued by electricity shortages and contaminated water supplies, but low oil prices have left government coffers empty and unable to finance sorely needed construction and development projects. Public anger over government failures to provide basic services has driven people into the streets to protest.
#Baghdad
— France Diplomacy🇫🇷 (@francediplo_EN) July 16, 2020
French support and solidarity to #Iraq and the new government:
- #Covid19: medical supplies, medicine, food, prevention
- Economy: financial support for reconstruction
- Struggle against Daesh: full support for the collective effort @coalition pic.twitter.com/t91JIaMSpu
Kadhimi is also under pressure to rein in Iranian-backed militias, bring to justice the killers of analyst Husham al-Hashimi, and keep Iraq out of Iranian-American tensions.
"What is at stake in Iraq's sovereignty is the sovereignty of the State whose authority is necessary to ensure the security of the Iraqis, but it is also the affirmation of a regional policy that must allow Iraq to dissociate itself from regional tensions,” said Le Drian.
Hussein and Iraqi President Barham Salih brought up the issue of Iraq’s sovereignty with respect to Turkey’s military campaign against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan Region in their meetings with Le Drian.
“Iraq is seeking international assistance to protect its sovereignty and ending the recurring military violations of Turkey on Iraqi land. The problems will be solved if both neighbouring countries have dialogue with each other and stay away from unilateral actions,” Salih told the French minister.
Le Drian expressed to Hussein France’s support, according to spokesperson Sahaf. "The result from today's discussion is that France is with the sovereignty and unity of Iraqi territory and it is against attacks on Iraq,” he said.
Late Thursday evening, Le Drian arrived in Erbil for meetings with the Kurdish leadership.
