Iraqi Prime Minister Heads to Britain to Sign 'Strategic Cooperation' Agreement

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia' al-Sudani has departed for London to meet with the King and Prime Minister of Britain, stating that this trip marks the beginning of a 'new era' in the relations between the two countries, during which a strategic cooperation agreement will be signed. Al-Sudani's official visit to Britain began on Monday evening, January 13, and he is accompanied by several ministers and members of the Iraqi parliament. According to Reuters, during the flight from Baghdad to London, Mr. Sudani told accompanying journalists that a 'strategic cooperation' agreement between the two countries will be signed during this visit. He described this treaty as one of the most significant milestones in Iraq-Britain relations and, without providing details, stated, 'I can describe it as the beginning of a new era.' The agreement to be signed will effectively enhance military relations between the two countries following the end of the anti-ISIS coalition's activities. Currently, Britain collaborates militarily with Iraq within the framework of the international anti-ISIS coalition; however, Baghdad and Washington officials announced months ago that the coalition's activities in Iraq would conclude in 2026 after prolonged negotiations. Additionally, according to Iraqi and British officials, a security agreement and several economic agreements will also be signed during this visit. The Iraqi Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, and King Charles III on Tuesday. According to the British Prime Minister's Office, the leaders of the two countries will unveil a £12.3 billion export package to Iraq, which is approximately ten times the value of Britain's exports to Iraq last year. The two sides are also expected to discuss the return of Iraqi migrants from Britain to their homeland. The issue of migration, both legal and illegal, was a central theme in the parliamentary election campaigns in Britain last summer. Yvette Cooper, the British Home Secretary, also signed a security treaty with Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during her visit to Iraq in November (about two months ago), which was related to combating human trafficking gangs and strengthening Iraq's border security. The Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to London comes more than twenty years after the military invasion of Iraq by Britain and the United States.