Latest news with #PatrickDurel
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Constitutional resolve: Barzani, French Ambassador tackle Baghdad-Erbil rift
Shafaq News - Erbil On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel to discuss Iraqi-Kurdish relations, French investment opportunities, and broader regional developments. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties between France, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, exploring investment and trade prospects for French companies in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Both Barzani and Durel emphasized the importance of resolving disputes between the Federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) through dialogue based on the Iraqi constitution. The meeting also touched on recent developments in the Middle East, with both parties underscoring the 'need to preserve regional stability and keep Iraq out of ongoing regional crises and tensions.'
Iraqi News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq receives first batch of French Caracal multi-role helicopters
Baghdad ( – As part of the government's agenda to develop the capabilities of the country's armed forces, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense received on Tuesday the first batch of French Caracal multi-role helicopters. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense mentioned in a statement that these combat helicopters will enhance the Iraqi army's capabilities in the areas of tactical transport, support, and rescue operations. The step is part of a deal reached with Airbus in September 2024 to purchase 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters. On April 30, the Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, checked the first two helicopters at the airframer's headquarters in Marignane in southern France. The new helicopters will take the place of the older Mil Mi-17s and will be employed for different tasks such as fire support, attack, tactical troop transport, special operations, and counter-terrorism. Unknown numbers of the Iraqi Caracals will be modified with the HForce modular weapons system from Airbus Helicopters. Iraq and the major European aviation company Airbus reached a deal in early September to buy 14 military helicopters, including 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters. A ceremony attended by the Iraqi Minister of Defense, officials from Airbus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, was held in Baghdad to sign the deal, according to AFP. During a meeting in May with Eric Chevalier, the former French ambassador to Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stated that Iraq is open to productive collaboration with French industries, particularly in enhancing the defensive capabilities of its military forces. In January 2023, Al-Sudani met in Paris with executives from Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus to discuss a possible supply of military helicopters, radars, and Rafale aircraft to Baghdad.
Iraqi News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
SJC President , the French Ambassador discuss a number of legal issues
Baghdad-INA The President of Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zidan, discussed today, Monday, with the French ambassador several legal issues. "The President of the Supreme Judicial Council(SJC), Judge Faiq Zidan, received today the French ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel,' SJC stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). "Judge Zidan discussed with him several legal issues related to the bilateral relations between the two countries,' The statement added .
Shafaq News
09-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
France eyes Iraq's Basra for new consulate
Shafaq News/ France is considering opening a consulate in Basra, southern Iraq, French Ambassador Patrick Durel announced on Wednesday. In a press conference during his visit to the province, Durel described Basra as Iraq's economic capital, revealing an agreement with the local government to boost French business activity in investment, oil, culture, and the arts. 'Our goal is to increase the number of French companies operating in Basra to provide more services across various sectors and to organize a business conference for French entrepreneurs to explore the local business environment,' he explained, noting France's desire to expand its diplomatic presence by opening a consulate in the province. In turn, Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani praised the longstanding partnership between the two countries, particularly in energy and water purification sectors with companies like TotalEnergies and RATP, affirming that both sides agreed to resume talks on developing public transportation.
Iraqi News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Maliki and the French Ambassador Discuss Joint Relations and Ways to Develop Them
Baghdad - INA The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, stressed on Wednesday to the Ambassador of the French Republic to Iraq, Patrick Durel, the importance of building multiple investment and economic partnerships that serve the interests of the two countries and the two friendly peoples. Al-Maliki's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, received in his office today the Ambassador of the French Republic to Iraq, Patrick Durel." The statement added that "at the beginning of the meeting, the overall Iraqi-French relations were discussed, as well as ways to develop them and mechanisms for strengthening them to serve the interests of both countries, particularly in the economic, security, and cultural fields. The latest developments in the political and security situations in Iraq and the region were also discussed." According to the statement, al-Maliki explained that "Iraq has historical relations with Paris and is interested in strengthening them in various sectors," noting "the importance of building multiple investment and economic partnerships that serve the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples." Regarding the ongoing developments in the Middle East, Al-Maliki stressed that "the situation in the region is witnessing major and dangerous challenges, whether in Syria and the crimes committed by terrorist groups against minorities, or the Zionist persistence in continuing its aggression against Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and most recently Yemen." He called on the international community to "contain crises and not take sides in favor of one party over another." For his part, the French ambassador expressed his country's "interest in Iraq's success in strengthening its unity and stability," emphasizing France's keenness to "build strong friendly relations with all Iraqis and its determination to strengthen the framework of joint cooperation between the two countries."
