You're reading: 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.