Morocco reopens its embassy in Iraq, a highly symbolic step

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Morocco reopens its embassy in Iraq a highly symbolic step

It was the last Maghreb country without diplomatic representation in Baghdad. This Saturday, January 28, Morocco finally reopened its embassy in Iraq after 18 years of absence. A symbolic step towards diplomatic rapprochement, according to representatives of the two countries.

with our correspondent in Baghdad, Marie-Charlotte Rupee

It is the culmination of years of discussion. The Moroccan embassy in Baghdad is reopening its doors, which were closed in 2005 after the kidnapping of two employees by the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda. At an Arab League summit in 2018, Iraq had already tried to convince Rabat to return.

But the reopening finally comes a few months after the visit to Marrakech by the head of Iraqi diplomacy. He then positioned himself on the question of Western Saharain favor of “ the territorial integrity of Morocco », supporting a negotiated political solution. A position reiterated again this Saturday in Baghdad.

Numerous cooperation agreements

Historically, the two states have not always been on the same side, especially after the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein. But they are now bound by some forty cooperation agreements, and two new memoranda were signed on January 28 to strengthen bilateral relations in the security, commercial, diplomatic and academic fields.

The opening of direct airlines between Baghdad and Rabat was mentioned, as well as the facilitation of procedures for obtaining visas for Iraqis.



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