Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and her delegation in Baghdad on Feb. 15, 2026.
Sudani, Finnish interior minister discuss police training cooperation
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday received Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and her accompanying delegation, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in training police forces and security coordination.
According to a statement from the prime minister’s media office, the meeting reviewed ways to develop relations between Iraq and Finland alongside the convening of the Iraqi-Finnish Joint Committee, with the aim of expanding cooperation in developmental, economic and technological sectors, as well as exchanging expertise in sustainable development.
He also stressed “the importance of security cooperation in the field of training police forces, exchanging information, and sharing modern technologies and techniques in the work of security agencies,” according to the statement.
Full statement:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani received today, Sunday, the Minister of the Interior of Finland Ms. Mari Rantanen, and her accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, ways to enhance relations between the two countries were discussed in light of the convening of the Iraqi-Finnish Joint Committee meeting, in a manner that contributes to expanding areas of cooperation, particularly in the developmental, economic, and technological sectors, as well as the exchange of expertise in the field of sustainable development.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani affirmed the importance of developing bilateral relations across various sectors, calling on Finnish companies to enter the Iraqi market and contribute to reconstruction and development campaigns through the available investment opportunities. He also stressed the importance of security cooperation in the field of training police forces, exchanging information, and sharing modern technologies and techniques in the work of security agencies.
The Prime Minister pointed to Iraq’s supportive position toward efforts aimed at imposing security and stability in the region and resolving disputes through constructive dialogue. He explained that the transfer of ISIS terrorist prisoners from Syria to Iraq is an Iraqi decision aimed at preserving regional and international security, stressing the importance of the international community assuming its responsibilities by receiving foreign ISIS detainees and bringing them to justice.
The Minister of the Interior of Finland Ms. Mari Rantanen expressed her appreciation for relations with Iraq, affirming her country’s interest in strengthening cooperation and its readiness to open new horizons in bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest.