Swiss Ambassador: Al-Sudani succeeded in promoting internal and regional stability
"The site of Babylon, the cradle of human civilizations, is the best place to highlight literature and music against the backdrop of this historical site. In the twelfth edition of the festival. For me, this is my first time participating, but it certainly won't be my last," said Hohn in a speech during the Babylon Festival, attended by an Iraqi News Agency - INA.
He noted, "I received a warm welcome when I arrived seven or eight months ago after Switzerland reopened its embassy in Baghdad. Since then, I have witnessed a tremendous amount of goodwill from my Iraqi friends and partners, from the Iraqi authorities and institutions, and above all from ordinary Iraqi citizens who expressed their happiness and satisfaction with Switzerland's return."
"Our decision to return demonstrates our belief in this country and the stability of Iraq. I want to take this opportunity to commend PM Al-Sudani and his government for the tremendous efforts made in this regard. I see every day how focused the Prime Minister is on stability at home and in the region, and he has proven successful in doing so," he highlighted.
Hohn explained, "By reopening our embassy, we Swiss wish to highlight our support for the PM's efforts and demonstrate our belief in this country's economic capabilities and the potential for cooperation between Swiss and Iraqi companies. We believe in the potential for cooperation in the cultural field and in the potential for partnership and friendship between individuals and between our two peoples."
"Since my arrival in Baghdad, I have discovered that the ties between citizens of Iraq and Switzerland are much deeper than I had imagined. I have noticed that many Iraqis residing in Switzerland have regained their confidence in their country of origin. They return here not only to see their families but also to invest in businesses and strengthen cultural ties," he included in his speech.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
KRG dismisses Baghdad moves in minority areas as 'unlawful'
Shafaq News – Erbil The Kurdistan Regional Government's Interior Ministry warned on Thursday that steps taken by Iraq's Ministry of Migration and Displacement and the Supreme Relief Committee risk altering the demographic makeup of Christian and Yazidi areas, where many displaced families remain in camps. Minority areas such as the Nineveh Plains and Sinjar are disputed territories claimed by both governments. They are home to diverse communities, including Christians (Assyrians and Chaldeans) and Yazidis, who endured atrocities during ISIS rule from 2014 to 2017. In a statement, the ministry said around 600,000 people uprooted by the ISIS assault are still awaiting conditions for a safe and dignified return, with 18 camps currently operating in the Region. It noted that the Iraqi government's meetings are aimed at preventing these groups from returning to their original towns and instead resettling them elsewhere, calling the move a form of unlawful demographic change. "Such measures contravene the Iraqi constitution, international law, UN principles, and the Geneva Conventions." The ministry called for urgent intervention, including swift implementation of the 2020 UN-brokered Sinjar Agreement — intended to normalize security, administration, and reconstruction in the district and enable Yazidis' return — alongside the appointment of a new governor and the resumption of reconstruction and basic services.
Memri
4 hours ago
- Memri
Fmr. Chairman Of Iran's Broadcasting Authority Mohammad Sarafraz: We Can Choose War – And Eventually Nuke Israel – Or We Can Conduct Negotiations With The U.S., But Both Options Are Bad; Instead, We S
Iranian official Mohammad Sarafraz, member of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace and former IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) chairman, said in an August 18, 2025 interview with Entekhab on YouTube that if Iran follows the path of war, it would not end well and could lead to a world war. He said that in the worst case, Iran might use a nuclear weapon, try to annihilate Israel, attack U.S. bases in the region, threaten European countries, and attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, he argued, If Iran had conducted negotiations earlier, when its proxies were not so weakened and the internal crisis had not reached such dire levels, such as the collapse of its water and electricity systems, it could have negotiated on more equal terms with the United States. He added that Iran could even have scored points on the nuclear issue, whereas today negotiations with the U.S. would not be on equal terms. Sarafraz called for deep, fast, and fundamental reforms in Iran, saying Iranian society is like a body afflicted with cancer that cannot be treated with painkillers. It is worth noting that following his resignation as IRIB chairman, Sarafraz alleged that IRGC intelligence and even members of Supreme Leader Khamenei's family had intervened in the broadcaster's financial and organizational affairs. Mohammad Sarafraz: "One scenario is to turn to the path of war, to welcome war, like some movements in our country are trying to promote. The outcome will be an endless war whose outcome is unknown. This scenario will probably lead to a world war. "In the worst case scenario, Iran might use a nuclear weapon, and will try to advance its endeavor to annihilate Israel. In addition, Iran will try to attack U.S. military bases in the region, to make security threats against European countries, and to somehow shut down the Strait of Hormuz. [...] "Ultimately, and considering the accumulation of problems we are facing, I don't think this will end well at all. [...] "Another scenario is to conduct negotiations with America. If we had done this in the past, we could have benefited greatly: The pro-Iran [proxy] groups would not have taken a hit – Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Iraqis, the Yemenis, and the Palestinian groups, including Hamas, would not have reached such a pathetic state. "Iran's status and power in the region would have been much higher, and we would not have suffered domestic problems in the water and electricity systems, like we do now. Had we conducted negotiations, we could have won points in the nuclear and other issues. Now, however, negotiations with the U.S. would not be on equal terms at all. We would negotiate with someone who wants to impose his positions and will on Iran. [...] "The third path – the one which I claim our country needs to take – is one of introspection. I call it, in a nutshell, a revolution in the ruling system. In other words, there should be deep, fast, and fundamental reforms in this country. These include a reform in the constitution, a reform in our approach to things, and even a reform in the goals to which we have dragged our country. Consequently, there should be a reform in the management of the country. All of these need to happen. [...] "Our society is currently like a sick man, or like a body afflicted with cancer. This problem cannot be resolved with painkillers."
Iraqi News
4 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq exports nearly one million barrels of oil to India in July
Baghdad ( – India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) revealed on Thursday that the country's oil imports from Iraq reached 993,000 barrels per day in July. At this rate, Iraq maintained its position as India's second-largest oil supplier, following Russia, which continued to be the country's largest oil exporter. Russia exported 1.8 million barrels per day to India, accounting for 34 percent of the country's total imports of 4.44 million barrels per day. Iraqi crude oil supplies to India fell by four percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Between January and June 2025, Iraq's crude oil shipments to India averaged 860,000 barrels per day, compared to 900,000 barrels per day in 2024. India's imports of Iraqi oil fell by 28,000 barrels per day, decreasing from 959,000 barrels per day in May 2024 to 931,000 barrels per day. In early 2025, Indian refineries switched to non-Russian oil after the government informed them about US sanctions weeks before they were publicized. Western countries, particularly the United States, have imposed tighter sanctions on Moscow, disrupting global oil commerce and forcing customers of cheap Russian oil to find new means to sustain their purchases.
