Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses ways to strengthen and develop bilateral relations with his Pakistani counterpart

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Fuad Hussein met on 11/8/2021 the minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and they discussed ways to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries on issues of common interest.

Mr. Hussein stressed the importance of strengthening aspects of bilateral relations by diversifying the frameworks of consultation to contribute to achieving the aspirations of Baghdad and Islamabad, and raising the pace of bilateral cooperation for the overall ongoing efforts at various political, economic, health and development levels, for the benefit of both countries.

Mr. Hussein also expressed his aspiration to develop security cooperation in the field of combating terrorism; especially that Baghdad and Islamabad have a long experience in  this regard, and the importance of holding the meetings of the Iraqi-Pakistani joint committee, and activating the memoranda of understanding between the two countries to serve the interests of the two friendly peoples.

Revealing that the government is moving towards creating an environment that attracts investment, providing ways to develop promising investment opportunities for Pakistani companies, and increasing cultural exchange between the two countries through twinning universities, adding: We are working to strengthen the agricultural sector, religious tourism, and ways to facilitate granting entry visas to Pakistan visitors wishing to visit the holy shrines in Iraq.

The two ministers touched on activating a direct flight from Baghdad to Islamabad and vice versa, and activating economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the Pakistani Foreign Minister stressed the depth of the historical and cultural ties between the two countries, stressing his country’s desire to reflect the good political relations in the economic fields, expressing his country’s aspiration for more joint cooperation with Iraq in all fields, the most important of which is cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the elimination of terrorism, its extremist ideology, the issue of religious tourism and the facilitation of granting entry visas to the Pakistani visitors.