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 Iraq |  Yugoslavia |
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Iraq–Yugoslavia relations were historical foreign relations betweenIraq and theformerYugoslavia. Iraq established diplomatic relations with theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1958.[1]Josip Broz Tito visited Iraq in August 1967 and again in February 1979.[2]
Yugoslavia became a major arms exporter to Iraq underSaddam Hussein and provided weapons to Iraq during theIran-Iraq War.[3] Yugoslav foreign policy, with its prominent role in theNon-Aligned Movement, perceivedIran–Iraq War to be highly delicate issue due to conflicting national and multilateral interests and values.Yugoslav Federal Secretary of Foreign Affairs became unusually silent on the issue as it was clear to Belgrade that Iraq was the aggressor but due to pressure from theYugoslav People's Army circles was not ready to condemnSaddam Hussein.[4] At the time Iraq was the biggest Yugoslav trade partner in theThird World.[4] Yugoslavia also sent engineers to Iraq during the 1980s to construct numerous bunkers for the Iraqi regime which would be used during theGulf War.[5]
Yugoslavia developed significant economic cooperation with Mediterranean and other Arab Non-Aligned countries including Iraq. At its peak, mutual trade between the two countries reached 4 billionUS dollar.[8] Yugoslav companies built theUmm Qasr Port, the only Iraqideep water port.[8] They were also engaged for the construction of the Weapons factory in the vicinity ofYusufiyah.[9] At the time of the beginning of Iran-Iraq War some 100,000 Yugoslav workers had to leave the country.[8]
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