December 6, 2024
Mr. President,
First and foremost I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNAMI, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Al Hassan as well as Mrs. Hanaa Edwar for their briefings. I applaud the presence among us of Ambassadors of both Iraq and Kuwait.
First and foremost, France applauds the efforts of the Iraqi government to carry through the reforms expected by the Iraqi population, and we call for them to be continued.
France applauds the implementation of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s reform agenda. The conduct of a population census last month, the first since 1997, should help us to better identify the population’s needs.
We encourage Iraq to continue to carry out these reforms, particularly in the areas of economic diversification, the fight against corruption and impunity. France reaffirms its commitment to the protection of basic freedoms, including freedom of expression, and stresses the importance of advancing equality between men and women, as well as the protection of all Iraqi people.
Turning to relations between Baghdad and Erbil, France calls for the pursuit dialogue, specifically vis-a-vis the sharing of oil revenues and security related issues. At stake is the interests of Iraq as a whole.
France applauds the organization and holding of legislative elections in the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan on October 20. This vote represents a political milestone for the Autonomous Region and for Iraq as a whole. The next step will be the establishment and constitution of a regional government.
Mr. President,
France is very much concerned by the repercussions of regional tensions in Iraq.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip and recent developments in Syria have repercussions throughout the region, particularly in Iraq. France continues to work to prevent a regional conflagration, and supports the Iraqi government’s efforts to prevent the country from being drawn into regional conflicts. The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon is a first step towards de-escalation.
France is committed to the security and stability of Iraq, and calls on Iraq’s neighbors to cease any interference in the domestic affairs of the country.
Together with its partners, France will continue to stand by Iraq in its fight against terrorism, in full respect for Iraqi sovereignty. Iraq can count on our willingness to enhance bilateral cooperation in this area, as long as it so requests and circumstances justify.
Mr. President,
This Council should support UNAMI during this transition phase.
France salutes the essential role played by UNAMI in delivering assistance to Iraq under the mandate of Resolution 2732, in full respect for Iraqi sovereignty.
France stresses the importance of close cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait on the issue of missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals. It calls for intensified efforts to identify missing Kuwaitis and the return archives. We will take careful note of the Secretary-General’s report on the issue of missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals.
Finally, France encourages Iraq to continue its cooperation with the Special Representative and with UNAMI in order to ensure a gradual and orderly closure of this UN mission at the end of December 2025, as stipulated in Security Council Resolution 2732.
Thank you.