UK-Iraq London talks to mark ‘new era’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday for talks on trade, security and migration hailed by Baghdad as marking a “new era” for the countries’ ties.

The Iraqi prime minister’s visit to London, during which he will also meet King Charles III, comes more than 20 years after Britain took part in the US-led invasion of Iraq.

A “strategic partnership” to be signed during the trip would consolidate cooperation and be “one of the most important steps in relations between Iraq and the United Kingdom”, Sudani told AFP during the flight from Baghdad.

The visit will see the start of talks on a returns agreement for Iraqi irregular migrants to the UK, Starmer’s Downing Street office said.

The leaders will also unveil a o12.3 billion ($15 billion) export package to boost opportunities for British businesses, it added.

Immigration, both irregular and regular, was a major issue in the UK’s July general election, which brought the premier’s Labour Party to power but also saw a breakthrough for Nigel Farage’s hard-right Reform UK party.

“Secure borders are a vital foundation of our plan for change, so I am also very pleased to get started on talks for a bespoke returns agreement between our countries,” Starmer said in a statement.

“The deal will help dismantle the people smugglers’ business model by sending the clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot expect to stay.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, following a visit to Iraq and its autonomous Kurdistan region in November, said the two countries had struck a security agreement and other cooperation deals with Iraq to target people-smuggling gangs and strengthen its border security.

“Our world-first security agreement with Iraq is already showing its impact,” she said.

“By strengthening border security with our Border Security Command, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and providing additional funding to support Iraq’s law enforcement capabilities, we’re targeting people smuggling gangs where it hurts.”