Iraq, Sweden Discuss Migrant Crisis

Arab World

November 23rd, 8:24am

Baghdad - Asharq Al-Awsat

Swedish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ann Linde (L) during a joint press conference with her Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (R) at the Iraqi ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 22 November 2021. EPA/AHMED JALIL

Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein said Monday that his country is looking forward to building distinguished ties with Sweden. Following a meeting with his Swedish counterpart, Ann Linde, in Baghdad Hussein said during a press conference that his country’s relations with Sweden are based on long-standing community ties. Iraqis constitute two percent of the Swedish community. Hussein stated that Sweden has been doing humanitarian work in Iraq since 1991, saying it has also supported the country in its fight against ISIS. The Iraqi FM said the talks focused on the parliamentary elections, as well as Iraqis seeking asylum in Europe in general and Sweden in particular. Linde said Sweden looked forward to more joint work with Iraq, adding that her country has provided two million euros in assistance to Iraq. She said Sweden is cooperating with the Iraqi government to resolve the Iraqi migrants’ crisis on the Belarus border. The Swedish FM also met with Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, in addition to visiting the Kurdistan region.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3319941/iraq-sweden-discuss-migrant-crisis