London: Over the course of this week's UK-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, the foreign ministers of the UK and Iraq met in London.

The two ministers agreed to expand and further their cooperation on a wide range of sectors during their meeting with Fuad Hussein, who is also the deputy prime minister of Iraq. The meeting served to reaffirm the two countries' commitment to working together.

The UK-Iraq Strategic Partnership, which was signed in Baghdad in June 2021 and outlined the UK's commitment to the long-term security, stability, and sovereignty of Iraq, is the foundation for the Strategic Dialogue. 

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Additionally, the meeting came after Lord Ahmad, the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, earlier in the year visited Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

Cleverly and Hussein talked about the value of "creating a prosperous future for the Iraqi people and the UK's commitment to supporting Iraq, including through the Iraq Economic Contact Group," according to a statement from the British government. These reforms are necessary to put Iraq's economy and society on a firm foundation.

Both parties praised the ambitious economic reform agenda of the Iraqi government and concurred that it was crucial to quickly achieve non-oil growth, private sector job creation, and improved access to financing.

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Hussein also met with top UK companies to look for new business opportunities as bilateral trade between the two nations increased. Both parties also expressed their intention to complete the UK-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible and submit it to their respective parliaments.

The ministers agreed to intensify high-level engagement throughout the rest of 2023 in preparation for COP28 later this year, and both parties welcomed the UK's assistance in strengthening and developing Iraq's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

In terms of security, the UK and Iraq concurred that it is crucial to keep driving Daesh out of Iraqi territory. They also welcomed the UK and Iraq's commitment to supporting the Global Coalition Against Daesh, as well as their respective efforts to assist displaced Iraqis, including those who have returned from the Al-Hol camp in North-East Syria.

Recognising the contemporary threats posed by cyber, both parties decided to strengthen their cooperation in this area, including by supporting the newly established Cyber Security Directorate within the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, according to a statement from the British government.

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The two ministers talked about the difficulties that the UK and Iraq both face in addressing serious organised crime and the factors that influence migration. They discussed additional areas for collaboration to ensure safe and legal migration, including targeted programming to better comprehend and address the causes of illegal migration and the establishment of reliable and trustworthy procedures for migration cooperation, including reintegration packages. 

The statement continued, "The UK will increase its support to strengthen Iraq's borders through mutually agreed-upon programmes."