Dr. Saad A. Ibrahim Al Ali is about to sign off as Iraqi ambassador to the Netherlands. Looking back he is proud of the strengthening of the political and economic ties between Iraq and the Netherlands, thankful for the Dutch support to the process of democracy in Iraq, but above all, and considering his country’s recent history, proud to have been a chairman of the 18th conference of states parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
By Dr. Saad A. Ibrahim Al Ali, ambassador of Iraq to the Netherlands
I would like to thank Diplomat Magazine for providing me with the opportunity to address its readers directly concerning the Iraqi/Dutch relationship, which has been developing for many years. I presented my credentials to HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on the 23rd of June 2010, becoming the thirteenth Ambassador of The Republic of Iraq to the Netherlands. Since then, the relationship between the Netherlands and Iraq has witnessed remarkable developments in strengthening and maintaining good diplomatic, political, economic and military relations.
When I arrived, less than fifteen Dutch companies were doing business in Iraq; today their number has increased to over 170. Shell in recent years closed billion dollar oil deals with Iraq.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry strengthened its embassy staff in Baghdad with additional diplomats and opened a consulate in Erbil. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries exchanged visits to each other. Since 2010, there has been an exchange of trade missions, led by civil servants or an ambassador, on oil and gas, water and agriculture. Iraq is showing a great deal of interest in economic sectors in which the Netherlands has expertise, for instance water, agriculture, construction, oil and gas. Dutch firms in the horticulture sector have signed contracts involving investments in, for instance, southern Iraq. On the other side, many delegations from Iraq visited the Netherlands; and a new delegation led by the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture will visit the Netherlands this year in early October.
This all led to the signing and activation of agreements which, in some cases, had been waiting for years:
The agreement for the establishment and operation of air services, which was originally signed in 1955 and finally activated in 2013, to stimulate civil air transportation between and via the Netherlands and Iraq.
A gentlemen’s agreement has recently been reached between credit insurer Atradius Dutch Business on behalf of the Dutch government and Trade Bank of Iraq on behalf of the Iraqi government, for the protection of Dutch exporters to support Dutch companies in Iraq and provide them with coverage against risks.
A memorandum of understanding between the Netherlands Court of Audit (NCA) and the Federal Bureau of Supreme Audit of Iraq (FBSA) was signed in the first half of 2013, to review the Performance Audit Function of the Federal Board of Supreme Audit of Iraq.
A treaty was signed concerning the encouragement and reciprocal protection of investments, to intensify economic cooperation between both states.
As was a Double Taxation Treaty which aims to eliminate the double taxation on its finalization stage. A treaty for the import of live animals is to be signed soon.
While our countries strengthened its economic and political ties, safety unfortunately remained an issue. In 2003, the Netherlands participated in the international alliance which toppled the former dictatorial regime in Iraq, and supported the democratic political process. More recently, the Dutch government participated in the international coalition against DAESH (ISIS in English) and provided military support. By September 2014, the total value of Dutch humanitarian assistance provided to Iraq was eight million euros. I have a great deal of appreciation for all the Dutch support – both economically and militarily – to our democratic process.
The Netherlands, along with other European countries, also opened its arms for Iraqi refugees. It created a new Iraqi community of 55,000 people in the Netherlands; a community which turned out to be successful in the Dutch society. Many Iraqi’s participate actively and enrich the Dutch fabric with their contributions.
Iraq developed from being a country with weapons of mass destruction under supervision of the OPCW to being a member state of the OPCW. That is: from being part of the problem, to being part of the solution. Iraq ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in December 2008 and became a member in February 2009.
Iraq is now an active member of the Executive Council. I presented my credentials to the Director General of the Organization as the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the Organization on June 14, 2010. I felt very fortunate to represent my country with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in 2013. We even went to Oslo because OPCW was granted the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in achieving peace and security. In 2013, Iraq chaired the 18th conference of the state parties and also chaired the committee of the whole of the third review conference. I was elected as deputy chair for the 19th session of the state party’s conference in 2014, representing the Asian Group for one year. I feel proud to be part of the success of the organization.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all my colleagues who, with their help and support, have made my job possible, especially those in the Dutch government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I must also not forget my colleagues in the OPCW, with whom I share the continued success of the organization.
Half a century of Dutch Iraqi relations
Iraq attended its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A Republic was proclaimed in 1958. The first Iraqi diplomatic envoy to the Netherlands was appointed in 1957, coinciding with raising the level of diplomatic representation of the Dutch diplomatic mission and the appointment of a Dutch charge d’affaires in Iraq. In 1960, the diplomatic representation for both countries rose to the level of Embassy.
