Portugal considers reopening embassy in Iraq

Portugal’s minister for foreign affairs, Paulo Rangel, is said to be ‘considering’ reopening the Portuguese embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

The embassy has been closed for almost 20 years, but, according to Fuad Husseein, Mr Rangel’s Iraqi counterpart, reopening it would “reset the good bilateral relationship” that the two countries enjoy.

Following a meeting today in Lisbon with Mr Rangel, Mr Husseein told reporters: “the relationship between the two countries goes back a long way. But unfortunately, since 2007, the Portuguese Government has decided to withdraw its embassy from Baghdad, while we have maintained our embassy and ambassador here. Therefore, one of the points I always discuss (with the Portuguese minister of foreign affairs) is the reappointment of a Portuguese ambassador to Baghdad so that we can restart our good relations (…) We need the ambassador there because there are many opportunities relating to the process of rebuilding our economy,” he added. “Diplomatic ties will pave the way for economic relations,” he emphasised.

When asked about the Portuguese Government’s position on the possible reopening of an embassy in Baghdad, Paulo Rangel recalled that, in 2007, Portugal closed several embassies “due to financial constraints”, in the context of the crisis that led to the EU ‘troika’ intervention between 2011 and 2014.

For the past two years, the AD government has been reopening some embassies.

“Of course, we are considering that (reopening in Baghdad). Naturally, I also need the minister of finance’s help, as usual, but I think he has been very supportive. We are, in financial terms, in a different situation now. And so, on our list, Baghdad is one of the places where we would like to have a diplomatic mission – not just a non-resident ambassador – but I have to take this step by step,” said Rangel.

“For the time being,” the two countries can “work hard to strengthen economic relations”, he added.

Tourism, construction and water management have been identified by the two ministers as areas of potential cooperation, writes Lusa.

Rangel also stated that he has accepted an invitation to lead a business mission to Baghdad.

“It is time to strengthen the relationship in every respect” – particularly in the political, economic and cultural spheres, Rangel agreed.

Fuad Hussein, who is also his country’s deputy prime minister, is the first Iraqi minister of foreign affairs to visit Portugal, thus he sees his visit as ‘historic’, he said.

Husseein will be meeting with other members of parliament, business leaders and AICEP –  the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade, during his trip.

“Our country is an oil-producing nation. But in three or four years’ time, we will also be a gas-producing nation. We need infrastructure, and construction is one of the areas in which Portuguese companies can play an important role. There are many opportunities,” he said.

“We are ready to work together with companies in this country and with the government to build strong economic ties,” he added.

The Iraqi minister also thanked Portugal for having taken part in the anti-terrorism coalition to combat the extremist group Islamic State, also known by the acronym ISIS.

“We faced difficult times when ISIS terrorists occupied a third of our country. Many countries came to support our people in fighting and defeating the terrorists,” he recalled.

Source: LUSA