An invitation to join the Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the resumption of the work of the Ukrainian-Iraqi Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and the exchange of experience in humanitarian demining were among the topics discussed by First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko with Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq Fuad Hussein on August 9, 2023.
"Ukraine has two main tasks: to win the war and to start rapid reconstruction right now. The issue of humanitarian demining is critically important for us. We are interested in gaining experience and attracting assistance from partner countries. Ukraine views the state of Iraq as an important international partner and hopes to exchange experience in the field of demining," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The First Deputy Prime Minister added that the main task of the Government today was to launch the process of humanitarian demining, attract as many specialists as possible to work in this field, look for special equipment and machinery abroad and organize domestic production in Ukraine. The Government hopes that international partners will help train sappers.
Separately, Yuliia Svyrydenko invited the Iraqi side to join the Peace Formula, in particular, its part on food security. She emphasized that the countries of the world should consolidate to overcome the food crisis, and food should be exported freely to countries that need it.
The parties also discussed the possibility of resuming the functioning of the Ukrainian-Iraqi Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. In particular, Ukraine is interested in importing hydrocarbons, launching joint projects in the areas that the Government has prioritized, such as energy, restoration and construction of housing and critical infrastructure, humanitarian demining, and economic recovery.