The UK wants to see a strong, stable and peaceful Iraq playing a positive role in the region and international community.  The UK wants an Iraq which: is a stabilising presence in the region; has a government which is broadly democratic and representative of the people; is able to deny terrorist groups a safe haven in its national territory; and which contributes positively to a stable world energy market. There have been significant improvements on security, the economy and politics, though progress remains to be made. Millions of Iraqis now live free of Saddam  Hussein’s oppression and have a measure of control over their own destiny.

UK relationship with Iraq

The UK is continuing to develop a broad based bilateral relationship with Iraq, after the withdrawal of UK combat troops in July  2009. This will see close co-operation in a range of areas, including economic, commercial, defence, cultural and educational relations. The UK and Iraqi governments have recently signed a draft agreement for our future defence relationship. The draft agreement includes the provision of training to the Iraqi Navy and the protection of Iraqi oil platforms in line with the Prime Minister’s statement to the Parliament in December 08. The agreement is currently awaiting parliamentary ratification in both countries.