France, Iraq sign strategic partnership treaty

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France and Iraq signed a strategic partnership treaty, the French presidency announced on Friday.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited France on Jan. 26-27, where he met President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement by the Elysee Palace.

"A strategic partnership treaty was signed to strengthen bilateral relations and establish a formal and permanent framework for the diversified and comprehensive relationship in various areas of cooperation," the statement said.

Al-Sudani and Macron discussed the developments in Ukraine and condemned the attacks targeting Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Macron also guaranteed France's support for countering Daesh/ISIS terrorism as long as Bagdad seeks it, according to the statement.