London, UK (July 4, 2023) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein arrived in London on Monday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Iraq and the United Kingdom.

Minister Hussein, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, is scheduled to hold several meetings with key British officials during his visit. These include meetings with his British counterpart, James Cleverly, as well as the Minister of Defense, Ben Wallace, the Minister of State for Immigration Affairs, Robert Jenrick, and the Minister of State for Security Affairs in the British Ministry of the Interior, Tom Tugendhat. Additionally, Minister Hussein will meet with the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee in the British Parliament, Alicia Cairns, and the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups, Tobias Ellwood.

The Minister also plans to meet with representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, businessmen from the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, and the Executive Director of the British BT Company.

The visit underscores the close economic, political, and cultural ties between the UK, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, and reflects the UK's support for Iraq in its fight against ISIS.

The visit comes at a time of increased cooperation between Iraq and the UK. In recent years, the UK has provided significant assistance to Iraq in its fight against ISIS, and has also helped to train Iraqi security forces. The UK is also a major investor in Iraq, with businesses from the UK operating in a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, construction, and telecommunications.

The visit of Minister Hussein is seen as a sign of the importance that both countries attach to their relationship. It is expected to lead to further cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, investment, security, and counterterrorism.

By Kobin Ferhad