The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets Iraq’s “high-risk” classification: negative impact on investment and tourism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets Iraq’s “high-risk” classification: negative impact on investment and tourism.
2025/05/25
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its regret on Sunday over the continued classification of Iraq by a number of Western countries as a “high-risk” country in travel advisories issued to their citizens. The Ministry stressed that this classification negatively impacts foreign companies’ access to the Iraqi market and hinders efforts to stimulate tourism and promote cultural exchange.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement received by {Euphrates News} that “Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, received two members of the US Senate, Independent Senator Angus King from Maine, and Republican Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma.”
The statement added that “a number of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting,” noting that “the two senators congratulated Iraq on the success of hosting the recent Arab Summit in Baghdad, and emphasized that they had observed a significant improvement in the level of stability within the country.”
The statement quoted the Foreign Minister as affirming that “Iraqi-American relations are strategic relations that extend from partnership in the war on terrorism to cooperation in reconstruction and enhancing stability in the region, as well as other vital areas including the energy and education sectors.” He noted that “Iraq looks forward to expanding the horizons of these relations and increasing the presence of American companies to take advantage of promising investment opportunities and contribute to construction and development efforts.”
The statement continued, “The minister affirmed that Iraq is working at an accelerated pace to achieve self-sufficiency and energy independence by investing in associated gas, enhancing electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, and exploring new gas fields, which will make it a gas-producing country, in addition to being a major oil producer.”
Hussein called on “specialized American companies to invest in this strategic sector,” noting that “Iraq is about to hold its sixth legislative elections in November of this year, which reflects the consolidation of the democratic experience among the population and contributes to achieving stability and reconstruction.”
He explained that “the continued classification of Iraq as a high-risk country by a number of Western countries in travel advisories for their citizens negatively impacts foreign companies’ entry opportunities and hinders the development of tourism and cultural exchange.”
The statement indicated that “the two sides affirmed that the terrorist organization ISIS continues to pose a significant threat to countries in the region and the world alike,” emphasizing “the importance of unifying international efforts to eliminate it and prevent its return.”
The two sides also discussed “developments in the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran,” and agreed that “dialogue is the best way to resolve outstanding issues, achieve stability, and avoid a slide toward escalation and confrontation.”
The statement concluded by saying, “The two sides affirmed their support for a political process in Syria that ensures the establishment of a comprehensive democratic process that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people and leads to the formation of an elected government that represents the various components of society and preserves their rights.”
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