Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived in Berlin on Tuesday, Sept. 15, beginning an official visit aimed at expanding political, economic and investment cooperation between Iraq and Germany.

According to the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin, al-Zaidi is scheduled to hold talks with senior German officials during the visit, including meetings at the Office of the Federal President and the Federal Chancellery.

A key part of the visit will be a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral relations, political developments and economic issues of mutual interest.

The Iraqi delegation will also take part in an economic program involving the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), as Baghdad seeks to increase trade and attract greater German investment in Iraq.

The Berlin visit comes a day after al-Zaidi concluded an official trip to France, where Iraq and France signed six memoranda and declarations of intent covering defense, energy, development, innovation and civil aviation.

The agreements were signed Monday at the Élysée Palace in the presence of al-Zaidi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Among the deals was a letter of intent between Iraq's Ministry of Defense and Harmattan AI on strategic cooperation in air defense. Iraq's Defense Ministry and France's Ministry of the Armed Forces also signed a declaration aimed at protecting French military equipment and supporting the rebuilding and development of Iraq's defense capabilities.

Additional agreements covered youth programs, research and innovation, cooperation with the French Development Agency and broader economic relations.

Iraq's Ministry of Electricity also signed a cooperation protocol with TotalEnergies concerning a gas supply and sales contract, while the Iraqi and French transport ministries agreed to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation.

The agreements in Paris underscored Baghdad's efforts to deepen strategic partnerships with European countries and expand economic cooperation.

In Berlin, Iraq is expected to place particular emphasis on trade, investment and opportunities for German companies operating in or seeking to enter the Iraqi market.

The meeting between al-Zaidi and Chancellor Merz is also expected to provide an opportunity for the two governments to review existing cooperation and identify new areas for political and economic partnership.