Spain and Iraq on Thursday strengthened financial ties as Mohammed Shia al-Sudani turned the primary Iraqi prime minister to go to the European nation.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hosted his Iraqi counterpart in Madrid the place they signed memorandums of understanding on “monetary cooperation and justice”, the Spanish authorities mentioned in an announcement.
Spanish commerce organisations penned agreements on “industrial and enterprise cooperation” with the goal of accelerating Spain’s enterprise in Iraq in sectors corresponding to defence, infrastructure, transport, meals and water administration, the assertion added.
In line with Spanish official knowledge, the European nation has a yawning commerce deficit with Iraq.
Spain exported 206 million euros ($217 million) to Iraq in 2023, an 18-percent enhance on the earlier 12 months, however Iraqi imports — largely oil — totalled some 1.66 billion euros.
Sudani’s workplace mentioned a railway mission value 250 million euros was just lately awarded to a Spanish firm and that talks with one other agency are underway for a high-speed prepare connection between Najaf and Karbala governorates.
The leaders mentioned the struggle in Gaza and the delicate ceasefire in Lebanon.
Sanchez and Sudani urged “all events” to behave “with the best moderation, finish the violence instantly and totally respect worldwide regulation”.
Sanchez additionally advised Sudani that Spain, which contributes to a NATO mission and a US-led anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq, supported the Baghdad authorities’s efforts to take care of “stability, safety and sovereignty”.
