Iraqi president welcomes return of a resident Canadian ambassador, Gibbard

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraq's outgoing president received the credentials of Canada's first resident ambassador to the country in 27 years on Monday.

"This marks the first time that Canada has had a resident ambassador to the Republic of Iraq since 1991 and will further strengthen the ongoing cooperation between our two countries," read a statement from Canada's office in Baghdad.

Ambassador Paul Gibbard has 26 years of diplomatic experience, largely in south and central America.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum welcomed Gibbard in what could well be one of his final acts in his office.

Canada's Ambassador to Iraq Paul Gibbard in Baghdad. Photo: Canada in Iraq

Masum "pointed out the importance of Canada’s stance and support for Iraq in the war against terrorism. He also stressed strong relations between the two friendly countries and the need to develop them further to serve our common interests," read a statement from his office.

The parliament is scheduled to elect a new president in a session Monday evening.

Canada's last ambassador in Baghdad, Christopher Poole, left in December 1991. The country's ambassador to Jordan has been responsible for Iraq, remotely.

Canada is an active member of the global coalition against ISIS, with a focus on training Peshmerga and Iraqi soldiers. The Canadian military will take first command of NATO's training mission in Iraq.

Ottawa has committed more than $2 billion (CAD) for stabilization and development assistance in the Middle East, with Iraq a major recipient. 

Women's issues are a focus of their humanitarian activities in the country.

Canada has also received more than 37,000 Iraqi refugees over the past 15 years, including 1,400 survivors of ISIS, many of whom are Yezidis.

And Canadian companies have interests in the oil and gas sectors of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

With Canada's increased military and development involvement in Iraq, the government said it needs to have a stronger diplomatic presence on the ground.

Several countries have recently returned embassies or increased their diplomatic missions in Iraq following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. 

Canada has an embassy trade office in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region.

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