European Praise for the Government's Efforts to Achieve Reconstruction and Investment and Confirmation of Readiness to Cooperate in the Fields of Energy and Education

Baghdad / NINA / -The ambassadors of European countries praised the efforts and steps of the Iraqi government in achieving reconstruction, development and investment in the energy sectors, stressing the desire of their governments to enhance joint cooperation in various fields with Iraq.

The British Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, urged the need for political blocs to form the government after the upcoming elections as soon as possible.

Ambassador Hitchen said, during a dialogue session within the activities of the second day of the Iraq Energy Conference 2025, today, Wednesday, in Baghdad, that 

"The most important thing after the elections is for the political elite to reach a solution and form a direct government as soon as possible."

 He added, "The population of Iraq in the seventies was 8 million people, and with the fall of the regime (2003) it was 23 million people, and now it has become 46 million, and after 15 years, i.e. in 2040, it will become 70 million people, and we expect, in return, a decrease in the price of oil, so if Iraq relies on the same percentage of income from oil and gas in 2040, it will face an existential challenge," indicating: "The only solution is to diversify the economy and sources of Iraqi income." 

The British ambassador warned that "there are concerns in the country, including the population and the percentage of dependence on oil and gas," indicating that "during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's recent visit to London, we signed a package of agreements for major projects worth 12 billion pounds, which is progress in the readiness of British companies to work in Iraq." 

 He continued, "There is a willingness from the Gulf countries to invest in Iraq, and one of the agreements signed between the governments of Iraq and Britain is for a British technology company to connect the national grid with the Saudi electricity grid," considering it "a strategic project between neighbors," noting that "for centuries, natural resources were present in Iraq, especially the fertility of the soil, and then oil and gas appeared," stressing "the need for international partners to invest in the education sector." 

In turn, the German Ambassador to Iraq, Christiane Hohmann, confirmed the existence of great cooperation in many areas with Iraq. 

Hohmann said, during the dialogue session with the European ambassadors, that "one of the most important problems facing investors is electricity in Iraq, because the environment of Iraq is different from our country." 

She added, "There are Iraqi businessmen investing in Germany, and it is not only Germany that invests in Iraq," indicating that "many German companies work in Iraq in the electricity sector, and there is a factory in the province of Najaf to produce glass and another factory for medicines." 

 She continued, "We want Iraq to succeed at the national and international levels, because Iraq is a young country with young energies and job opportunities must be provided for them," noting that "the presence of embassies here is to provide advice and investments, but the work will remain for the country." For his part, Dutch Ambassador Hans Sandee confirmed his country's efforts to increase joint cooperation with Iraq.

He said during the dialogue session with the European ambassadors, "Iraq depends mainly on oil, and we seek to increase the level of joint cooperation with the Iraqi government and work seriously to transfer knowledge," noting that "Dutch companies face clear challenges, including electricity." He added, "We seek to develop the private sector and work to help Iraq by supporting emerging companies and providing some funding to reduce the government's dependence on oil," indicating that "there are many companies looking for investment opportunities, and the Iraqi government is doing a good job and is in an effective and active position, but there are challenges that require more time," considering that "the government must focus on youth, education and developing the private sector, because they are the real capital." / End