Giorgia Meloni is in Baghdad , Iraq, where she was welcomed this morning by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani with whom she had an interview in the government building.
The prime minister also met the Italian ambassador Maurizio Greganti, before seeing a representation of Italian soldiers and the personnel of the Italian contingent in Iraq .
«I am really very happy to be here today in what represents my first bilateral mission outside Europe . Iraq is a friendly country which has once again demonstrated its belief in democracy with the recent formation of the government,” he said on the sidelines of the talks with the prime minister.
«Iraq - he underlined - is a nation that has taken important steps forward in terms of security and political stability and which, from our point of view, can look to reconstruction with optimism . Italy has always been at the forefront in supporting Iraq at 360 degrees. We also do it within the framework of the Anti-Daesh Coalition: because there can be no stability and prosperity in the Middle East without a strong Iraq. Italy has always been at Iraq's side in its rebirth».
«Our bilateral relations – he added – are intense and have deep roots. We collaborate from an energy, industrial and cultural point of view. We must now do more and strengthen our partnership. 2023 must be the year of the turning point in our bilateral relations ».
Meloni also expressed his appreciation for the Iraqi government's decision to establish December 25 as a national holiday, so as to allow everyone to be able to celebrate Christmas: " I consider it an important sign of great respect for religious freedom and respect for the Christians present in the country . I sincerely thank the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for this choice".
(Unioneonline/L)
