Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia to Iraq
18-02-2014 14:50:05 | | Politics
On February 17 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian paid an official visit to Baghdad. In the airport he was met by the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari. The meeting ceremony was followed by a short conversation between the Ministers.
On February 17 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was received by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki.
Greeting the Foreign Minister of Armenia Iraqi Prime Minister noted that his country is interested in deepening cooperation with Armenia in all possible areas and stressed that there is a great potential for it.
Expressing gratitude for the reception Minister Nalbandian stressed that relations between Armenian and Iraqi people have a centuries-old history.
“We highly appreciate the relations formed between our peoples and our states and we are interested in further developing those relations. It is the main goal of my visit.”
Iraqi Prime Minister and Armenian Foreign Minister had a thorough discussion on expanding the legal framework between the two countries, triggering cooperation in trade, economic, educational, healthcare and a in a number of other spheres as well as on steps towards establishing direct air link between Iraq and Armenia. The sides also highlighted the intensive work of the intergovernmental commission.
The Armenian Foreign Minister briefed Iraqi Prime Minister on the intension of Armenia to open a Consulate General in Erbil.
Minister Nalbandian also informed about the decision of the Armenian Government to facilitate the process of acquiring entrance visa to Armenia for Iraqi citizens by waiving the requirement of invitation. He expressed hope that it will contribute to the activation of business contacts taking into account that there is already reciprocal interest among Armenian and Iraqi business people.
Speaking about the Armenian community of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki said: “Armenians have worked and lived in Iraq for centuries and brought their contribution to the development of the country. Even today, despite the difficult situation, Iraqi Armenians continue to work for the prosperity of Iraq.”
On the same day meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister and Khodair al-Khozaei, the Vice-President of Iraq, took place.
Welcoming the Armenian Foreign Minister, the Vice President of Iraq noted that Armenian-Iraqi cooperation has experienced a considerable growth during the recent years and in this respect he highlighted reopening of the Embassies in Baghdad and Yerevan as well as high-level visits. He stressed that Iraq is ready to take serious steps for developing relations with Armenia.
Expressing gratitude for the reception Edward Nalbandian asked to convey greetings of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
During the meeting the sides touched upon bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, educational, cultural and healthcare areas.
Iraqi Vice-President presented the government’s efforts for establishing security and stability in the country.
On February 17 the negotiations between Edward Nalbandian and Hoshiyar Zebari took place in Baghdad.
Welcoming the visit of Edward Nalbandian to Baghdad Hoshiyar Zebari expressed confidence that it will give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in numerous areas.
“During the recent years the two Foreign Ministers have had a number of meetings and many arrangements have been reached according to which we made firm steps for enhancing the cooperation to a new level and today we witness the positive results- reopening of the Embassies, actively functioning intergovernmental commission, reciprocal support in the framework of the international organizations, growth of trade circulation”-said Iraqi Foreign Minister.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation to visit Baghdad and the warm reception Minister Nalbandian stated: “The peoples of Armenia and Iraq are tied with a traditional friendship which has experienced the challenges of time and this is a serious basis for developing and expanding of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two states.”
During the meeting Ministers touched upon a wide range of issues of bilateral agenda and a number of regional issues.
Edward Nalbandian and Hoshiyar Zebari underlined with satisfaction the dynamics of implementation of practical arrangements towards expanding Armenian-Iraqi cooperation in different areas.
Minister Nalbandian presented to his Iraqi counterpart the efforts of Armenia and international community for the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem highly appreciating Iraq’s balanced position in this issue.
Minister Zebari briefed in detail on the efforts of Iraqi government in fostering security and stability in Iraq as well as preparatory works for the parliamentary elections in April.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference by the Armenian and Iraqi Foreign Ministers.
Minister Nalbandian visited the Embassy of Armenia in Iraq where he had a meeting with the representatives of organizations of Armenian community in Iraq and briefed them on the main directions of Armenian foreign policy, reforms undertaken in the country, steps towards enhancing Armenia-Diaspora ties and answered several questions of the attendees.
The visit of Armenian Foreign Minister was broadly covered by local and regional media.
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