Iraqi PM, French president discuss regional diplomacy and upcoming visit

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani spoke by phone Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron about Iraq’s role in easing regional tensions, cooperation with Iran and the United States, and Macron’s upcoming visit to Baghdad.

Al-Sudani said Iraq is seeking to play a constructive role in diplomacy, including efforts to convene a conference in the capital. “We are ready to work with France and all partners, including the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, to avoid sliding into another confrontation,” he said. He added that Iraq would take “all necessary steps that serve its national interests and the goal of preventing war through dialogue grounded in international law.”

Macron confirmed plans to visit Baghdad and said he hopes the trip will “achieve its practical objectives.”

Full statement from Al-Sudani’s office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani today, Saturday, received a phone call from the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. The conversation focused on bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to strengthen partnership and cooperation across various fields, as well as discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted the government’s efforts to convene a regional conference in Baghdad to address regional matters. He also highlighted the importance of President Macron’s upcoming visit to Baghdad and reiterated Iraq’s appreciation of France’s principled stance on the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the ongoing violations in the Palestinian territories represent a dangerous precedent that further complicates the international situation and poses real challenges to the global order.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Iraq is focusing on economic development, leveraging its constructive role in the region. He warned of the risks of a new war threatening the region’s security and stability, underscoring Iraq’s readiness to work with France and all partners, including the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, to avoid sliding into another confrontation. He stressed that Iraq will take all necessary steps that serve its national interests and the goal of preventing war through dialogue grounded in international law.

For his part, President Macron praised the level of security and stability Iraq is witnessing and the government’s efforts to safeguard the country’s stability. He reaffirmed France’s pride in the depth of its strategic relations with Iraq and its desire to continue supporting Iraq. The two sides also discussed his planned visit to Baghdad, with President Macron expressing his hope that the visit will achieve its practical objectives.

Media Office of the Prime Minister
August 30, 2025