The British Consul General in Baghdad, Angus Clarkson, affirmed on Saturday his country's commitment to building bridges of friendship and understanding with Iraq by strengthening cultural and social relations, along with political and economic cooperation. He explained that direct meetings with Iraqi citizens reflect a true picture of society and the generosity of its people.
Clarkson said in an interview with the program "Good Morning Iraq" on Al Iraqiya TV, "At this stage, we must have diplomatic openness with Iraqis. Diplomacy is not just a political act, but a broad practice that includes strengthening ties between peoples, especially in the field of education and enhancing partnerships between British and Iraqi universities. We have more than 600 Iraqi students studying at British universities, and we seek to increase these numbers in various specializations and at the postgraduate level." He pointed out that "relations between individuals, universities, and companies represent an important pillar in strengthening the partnership between Iraq and Britain."
He added, "Baghdad is a city rich in cultural and social diversity, and people are fluent in Arabic." He explained that he "seeks to discover its various landmarks through his frequent visits to Kadhimiya, Adhamiya, Shorja, Al-Nahr Street, Al-Mutanabbi Street, Abu Nuwas, and popular restaurants. I also hope to visit Sadr City, as direct interaction with Iraqi citizens reflects a true picture of society and the generosity of its people."
He continued, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's visit to London resulted in significant commercial outcomes, and agreements worth nearly 12 billion pounds were concluded in various areas related to infrastructure and service projects, including the sewage project in the city of Hillah."
He explained, "I constantly stroll around Baghdad in search of new places and have visited several governorates," noting that "Iraqis are distinguished by their unique welcoming style, which varies in the number of kisses and greetings, reflecting the kindness of the people. I have visited the Masgouf restaurants on Abu Nuwas Street, the cafes on Al-Mutanabbi Street, and the cafes in Baghdad, and I hope to discover more places in the capital."
The British Consul noted, "I'm trying to overcome the isolation imposed in the Green Zone by opening up to Iraqi society," noting that "following sports, including Iraqi football, provides an additional bridge of communication. I don't usually follow football much, but I've played rugby, which I think might suit Iraqis due to its competitive nature."
He continued, "I'm currently reading the book 'Baghdad As I Knew It' to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the Iraqi capital." He called on citizens to "share suggestions for places, books, and music that can help them better understand Iraq's identity."
He concluded by saying, "These human and cultural bridges contribute to strengthening public diplomacy and support the progress of official relations between Baghdad and London."
British Consul: Popular culture and bridges bring London closer to Baghdad
