Minister of Foreign Affairs Discusses Means of Enhancing Bilateral Relations between Baghdad and Oslo

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, expressed the government’s interest in developing the bilateral relations between Iraq and Norway on all levels, and the importance of consultation on regional and international issues of common interest.

This came during his meeting with the Norwegian Special Envoy for Iraq and Syria, Ms Hilde Haraldstad, on 26/04/2022.

The two sides also discussed prospects for intensifying bilateral cooperation on all fields, including: Norwegian investment in the Iraqi market, and trade exchange, referring to the substantial opportunities in the field of business institutions in Iraq.

They discussed a number of international and regional issues, and files of common interest, foremost of which is the security and military developments in Ukraine.

The Minister confirmed the need for efforts to restore peace and ensure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, referring to the Arab League initiative to communicate with the parties concerned in the conflict, and to stop the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the Ukrainian people, and how this conflict affected the security situation in the region in general and the economic situation in particular.

His Excellency touched upon the political and security situations, and the efforts exerted to expedite the formation of the government, as he affirmed that the political process based on democratic rule requires resorting to negotiation mechanisms and diplomatic and political mechanisms, which may take time, expressing his hope in the formation of the government in the near future and complete the adoption of important laws.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister called on the Norwegian side to resume holding the Iraqi-Norwegian joint committee, expressing his aspiration to exchange visits at the ministerial level, because of the positive repercussions it has on the path of strengthening the elations between Baghdad and Oslo.