Iraq's ambassador: Signing of Ukrainian-Iraqi agreement on defense cooperation to stimulate bilateral relations

Kyiv and Baghdad are ready to sign an intergovernmental agreement on military and technical cooperation between Ukraine and Iraq, Iraqi Ambassador to Ukraine Shorsh Khalid Said has said.

"Since the time of the Soviet Union, Iraq and Ukraine have had long-standing relations in various areas: culture, trade, economy, politics, defense industry," the ambassador said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Said noted that after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Ukraine's peacekeeping forces have been a part of the united forces of the international coalition in Iraq.

"The high level of professionalism and best human qualities of Ukrainian peacekeepers contributed to the establishment of good relations between our countries. Ukraine has a lot of experience in military personnel training and has powerful and high-quality military equipment. That is why our government is interested in developing cooperation with Ukraine in the defense industry," he saidm noting: "The countries are expected to sign an agreement on military and technical cooperation, which will give an impetus to the development of our relations." Among the promising areas of bilateral cooperation in the defense industry, the ambassador named precision weapons, navigation, and electronic warfare equipment.

"With its latest developments and technologies in the area of high-precision weapons, navigation and location, Ukraine can play an important role in upgrading our country's defense industry, since the strengthening of military power in the most explosive region of the world is not a sign of aggression, but a necessity in preserving state sovereignty," he said.