Spain and Iraq sign a bilateral cooperation agreement on security and the fight against crime

The Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and his Iraqi counterpart, General Abd Al-Amber Kamel Al-Shammari, in Baghdad

The Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on security and the fight against crime with his Iraqi counterpart, General Abd Al-Amber Kamel Al-Shammari, during his official visit to Baghdad.

"We are united by the conviction of working together to contribute to the security of our citizens, particularly in the current geopolitical context," said Grande-Marlaska in a meeting prior to the signing with the country's prime minister, Mohammed Shia' Sabbar al-Sudani, whom he thanked for his government's willingness to conclude this agreement.

The minister highlighted the "great work" of the teams from both countries that have made it possible to sign the text, which was foreseen in the Declaration of Intent signed on 28 November in Madrid. Grande-Marlaska and Al-Shammari had met previously in January 2024, also in Madrid, and on 31 March the two men met in London for the Border Security Summit.

The document establishes a legal framework to strengthen the already existing "positive" bilateral cooperation between the two countries on security, training and exchange of best practices around serious and transnational crimes in the areas of organised crime and terrorism.

The agreement also provides for the creation of a monitoring committee and the exchange of liaison officers as priority information channels. Until now, the bilateral relationship has been articulated through the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM), with which collaboration will continue, as well as with other EU-funded projects in the country.

The two home affairs ministers agreed to extend their cooperation to the areas of civil protection and emergencies. "We are all subject to the growing threat posed by climate change and its direct impact on our security systems," said Grande-Marlaska, who also stressed the urgency of investing in prevention.

After the meeting at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, the minister, accompanied by his counterpart, visited the Iraqi Police Academy, the Police Coordination Centre and the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency.

Reopening of the Instituto Cervantes extension in Baghdad

During the visit to Baghdad, the minister took part in the signing ceremony of the agreement between the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) and the Instituto Cervantes to reopen an extension of the institution at the AUIB, which will continue to promote linguistic and cultural exchange between Iraq and Spain.

In his words, he highlighted the "close cultural and academic relations" between Iraq and Spain, illustrated by the opening of a Spanish-Arab Cultural Institute in Baghdad as early as 1958. The minister stressed that this was "fundamental in the promotion of Spanish language and culture in Iraq and in fostering dialogue between the two countries".

Grande-Marlaska also referred to the existing links between Spanish universities and centres in Iraqi, and in particular with the University of Baghdad and its Department of Spanish to promote the exchange of students and teaching staff, as well as joint research programmes and studies of the Spanish language and the country's culture. "Spain is interested in supporting the Iraqi innovation ecosystem by promoting digital literacy, entrepreneurship and the inclusion of women in scientific and technological areas," he explained.

"Interest in learning Spanish in Iraq is growing", the minister said in his speech, pointing out "the shared history with Arab countries and the indisputable legacy of Arab civilisation in the Spanish language and culture". He also referred to the "recent reasons" for this interest among young Iraqis, including the popularity of Spanish football teams and the impact of Spanish films and series such as La Casa de Papel, which he said " has been a milestone in Iraq".

Visit to the embassy and staff of the NATO mission in Iraq

Grande-Marlaska also visited the Spanish Embassy in Iraq to hold a meeting with the staff of the diplomatic representation in the country and with the members of the Spanish contingent in the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), headed by Brigadier General José de Meer. The international mission focuses on advisory functions for the development of the country's armed forces and security institutions.

Non official translation