France and Iraq agreed in Paris to diversify oil and gas export routes and strengthen regional energy interconnections to bolster energy security. TotalEnergies signed an MoU on LNG supplies and plans to increase its Iraq investment to $16 billion. The two countries also signed a strategic roadmap to acquire French military equipment, while Harmattan AI inked a letter of intent on autonomous air‑defence systems. Additional accords cover development aid, education, civil aviation and electricity infrastructure.
France and Iraq Deepen Energy and Defence Ties as Zaidi Visits Paris
France's President Emmanuel Macron shook hands with Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during the Iraqi leader's first visit to Europe since taking office in May (Ludovic MARIN)
France and Iraq on Monday strengthened their bilateral partnership, calling for a diversification of oil and gas export routes across the Middle East to reduce the risks posed by regional instability. The move followed talks in Paris between French President Emmanuel Macron and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi.
Macron and Zaidi said in a joint statement that stronger regional interconnections and broader export corridors are essential to ensure regional energy security.
Zaidi met with President Macron at the Élysée Palace on his first trip to Europe since taking office in May. He is due to travel to Berlin on Tuesday as part of a wider diplomatic agenda.
Agreements and Economic Commitments
French energy major TotalEnergies signed a memorandum of understanding with Iraq covering liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies and agreed to continue talks on additional energy projects. TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyanné confirmed the company intends to raise its investments in Iraq to $16 billion from $12 billion and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in the oil and energy sectors.
Defence Cooperation
Paris and Baghdad also moved to expand defence ties. The two sides signed a strategic roadmap for the acquisition of French military equipment as Iraq seeks to modernise its armed forces and strengthen sovereign defence capabilities. Separately, French drone firm Harmattan AI signed a letter of intent with Iraq's defence ministry regarding autonomous air‑defence systems, adding a technological dimension to the defence cooperation.
Wider Cooperation
Several other agreements were signed to broaden bilateral cooperation, covering development assistance, education, civil aviation and electricity infrastructure, reflecting a multi‑sector push to deepen ties beyond energy and security.
Regional Context
The visit took place against a backdrop of rising regional tensions. Iran‑backed Houthi forces have consolidated control over the Bab al‑Mandab strait, and disruptions linked to Iran's de facto restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to upward pressure on global oil prices. French and Iraqi officials framed their cooperation as a response to these threats to energy supply routes and regional stability.
Next steps: Iraq’s prime minister continues his European visit with a scheduled trip to Berlin to pursue further diplomatic and economic engagements.
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