TotalEnergies, Iraq have agreed to start talks on energy projects, Iraq, France say

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - TotalEnergies and the Iraqi government have agreed to start discussions on energy projects in the country, while France and Iraq have also agreed on a roadmap regarding future acquisitions of weapons from French companies by the Iraqi military, according to a joint French-Iraqi statement on Monday.

• TotalEnergies' projects would involve large-scale investments and would be aimed at boosting Iraqi oil production while contributing to improving energy sovereignty and the country's energy transition, the statement said.

• France and Iraq "applauded the signature of a declaration of intent regarding autonomous air defense systems between the French company Harmattan AI and the Iraqi defence minister," the statement said. It also said that Iraq's prime minister had announced his intent to encourage talks involving other French firms and the defence minister regarding various weaponry systems.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)