Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD held a panel discussion entitled: "Iraqi-Dutch Relations: From Friendship to Partnership",

The lecturer was His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Iraq Mr. Michel Retinar, where a number of elites of researchers, academics and media professionals attended the panel discussion. The Ambassador reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries, which are witnessing remarkable development. He also focused on several topics, most notably security as the most prominent elements of stability, the file of internal and external migration, human rights, providing job opportunities. The ambassador proposed the possibility of Iraq benefiting from Dutch expertise in various sectors, especially the energy and agricultural sectors, as well as water treatment. In addition to discussing other important files such as education, elections, etc.

Conclusions:

1-      The Relations between the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have a good history, spanning decades and continuing development between the two countries. For the Netherlands, Iraq is its main focal point in the Middle East.

2-      As part of the cooperation between the two countries, the Netherlands supported Iraq during the Iraq war against ISIS, and within the framework of the international coalition, it provided six F16 fighter jets as part of air support to Iraqi forces during military operations, as well as providing training expertise to Iraqi forces within Nato.

3-      The Netherlands supports security and considers it a component of sustainable stability in Iraq, so stability is important to lay the foundations of the state and save the democratic process. Moreover, it is reflected at the rest of the levels, especially the economic one.

4-      Economically, the Netherlands contributes to the oil sector in Iraq, as evidenced by the presence of its companies to invest in the Majnoon oil field and others.

5-      The Netherlands is ready to provide support and investment in other sectors, particularly in the agricultural sector, as this country has the expertise and is able to provide mechanisms through which to promote the agricultural reality, especially that Iraq, in the midst of the financial crisis, needs to strengthen this sector .

6-      6. The Netherlands has provided humanitarian assistance to those displaced persones by terrorist organizations, and in relation to the migration of Iraqis to Europe, specifically the Netherlands that has, in turn, sought to reintegrate them into society despite the difficulty that hinders this.

Recommendations:

1-      The need to take advantage of the positive development that is taking place in the relationship between Iraq and the Netherlands, and to use it for the benefit of Iraq in order to serve its foreign relations, especially with the European Union.

2-      Providing security and stability to create a safe investment environment for the country that wants to provide its expertise and investments in Iraq.

3-       In light of the lack of jobs and widespread unemployment, it must be move towards benefiting from Dutch expertise in the agricultural sector, and bring in new and modern mechanisms to support this sector, and as a result creating job opportunities. It can be coordinating with Dutch companies regarding this field.

4-      Taking advantage of the Dutch possibilities in the field of water treatment and what is related to it such as the construction of (infrastructures, dams, roads… etc.), that preserve this important resource for Iraq and sustainably takes advantage of it.