Al-Sudani: We Established a Strategic Partnership with Germany

Arab World

January 14th, 10:35am

Berlin - Asharq Al-Awsat

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes the Iraqi prime minister in Berlin on Friday. (AP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani has called on German companies to invest in the energy sector in Iraq, especially in oil, gas and electricity. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, for his part, revealed on Friday ongoing talks with the Iraqi government over the possibility of importing natural gas from the oil-rich country, at a time when Berlin is seeking to diversify energy sources after the decline in fossil fuel imports from Russia. During a press conference with Scholz in Berlin, Sudani said that his cabinet had signed a memorandum of understanding with the German energy giant Siemens to increase energy production, improve its transportation and reduce waste, as well as maintain energy stability. “Our meeting… established the foundations for a strategic relationship and partnership between Iraq and Germany... Germany has provided support to Iraq in the military field, and there are advisory teams to train Iraqi forces. All of these are appreciated, as well as assistance in the liberated areas.” The Iraqi premier noted that his government “appreciates Germany’s role in supporting Iraq in confronting terrorism.” He added: “The Iraqi government is serious about fighting corruption and advancing economic reform, and we presented to the German side investment opportunities in the fields of gas associated with oil production, as well as natural gas, petrochemicals, health, agriculture and industry.” Scholz, for his part, said that Germany was in talks with the Iraqi government over the possibility of importing natural gas from Iraq, as Berlin is seeking to diversify energy sources after the decline in imports of fossil fuels from Russia. He added: “We also talked about possible gas shipments to Germany, and we agreed to stay in close contact.” The German chancellor did not give details about the volume of gas that his country hopes to import from Iraq. Sudani also met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A statement by the Iraqi premier’s office stated that the meeting discussed bilateral relations and a number of regional and international issues of common concern. During the talks with representatives of German companies at the start of his visit to Germany on Thursday, the prime minister expressed Iraq’s confidence in German companies, highly valuing their expertise, efficiency and global reputation. Sudani invited “German companies to invest in Iraq in various fields, especially in renewable energy, gas and petrochemical projects,” and to support the Iraqi government’s plan to develop the energy and electricity sector.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4097651/al-sudani-we-established-strategic-partnership-germany