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Pakistan and Iraq Resolve to take relations 'to new heights'

Pakistan and Iraq Resolve to take relations 'to new heights'

 

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (L) meets with Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Rashid (R) in Baghdad
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (L) meets with Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Rashid (R) in Baghdad on Monday. — Photo courtesy Radio Pakistan

Pakistan
and Iraq resolve to boost bilateral ties as Bilawal visits Baghdad



Foreign
Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Baghdad on Monday for a three-day
visit to Iraq, where he met with the Iraqi president, prime minister and
foreign minister and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various
fields.



“Today,
I called on HE Dr Abdul Latif Jamal, president of Iraq. Resolved to take
Pakistan and Iraq relations 'to new heights' and expand cooperation in diverse
areas, including sharing expertise on water, agriculture and reinforcing
defence cooperation and bilateral trade,” tweeted Bilawal.





Both
dignitaries appreciated the trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to
expand mutually beneficial cooperation.





Bilawal
also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and discussed a
broad range of issues, including enhancing bilateral trade, convening of joint
ministerial commission, rebuilding Iraqi infrastructure, connectivity, zaireen
(pilgrims) and enhancing people-to-people and business contacts.





The
foreign minister also held talks with his Iraqi counterpart Dr. Fuad Hussein
and exchanged views on different aspects of diplomatic relations between
Pakistan and Iraq. They agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties between the
two countries.



Bilawal
said he was delighted to meet Hussein and that he had a “wide-ranging
discussion on all issues”.



“I’m
grateful to the government of Iraq for its support in opening of Pakistan
consulate in Najaf,” he added. The minister highlighted both sides signed
important memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and resolved to unlock “huge
potential in dynamic bilateral cooperation”.



Bilawal
also met with Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussein Bahral Uloom and
discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.



In
his meetings with the Iraqi leadership, Bilawal highlighted Pakistan's keenness
to enhance ties with Iraq in the fields of trade and investment, energy,
infrastructure development, education, culture and tourism.



He
said Pakistan was ready to share its experience and expertise with Iraq in
various sectors and assist in the reconstruction and development of the
war-torn country.



He
also expressed Pakistan's desire to facilitate the travel of Pakistani zaireen
to Iraq's holy sites and increase air connectivity between the two countries.



He
underscored the importance of regular political consultations, parliamentary
exchanges and people-to-people contacts for further deepening the fraternal
ties between Pakistan and Iraq.



He
also conveyed the greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
and President Arif Alvi to the Iraqi leadership.



Bilawal
appreciated Iraq's role in promoting regional peace and stability and
reiterated Pakistan's support for Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and
unity.



He
lauded Iraq's efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and expressed
solidarity with the Iraqi people in their fight against these challenges.



He
also commended Iraq's successful holding of parliamentary elections in October
2022 and hoped that the new government would be formed soon.



He
stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq at
multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement.



He
also invited the Iraqi president, prime minister and foreign minister to visit
Pakistan at their earliest convenience.



During
his stay in Baghdad, Bilawal also visited some historical sites in the city,
including the Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, the Al-Askari Shrine, the Abbasid Palace and
the National Museum of Iraq.



He
paid homage to the holy shrines of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad
al-Jawad in Al-Kadhimiya and Imam Ali al-Hadi and Imam Hasan al-Askari in
Al-Askari.



He
also admired the rich cultural heritage of Iraq and its contributions to human
civilization.



He
said Pakistan and Iraq shared a long history of cultural interaction and
economic trade dating back to 1800 BCE.



He
said both countries were part of the Baghdad Pact, a military alliance against
the Soviet Union formed in 1955.



He
said Pakistan valued its brotherly relations with Iraq and looked forward to
further strengthening them in all spheres.



Bilawal
concluded his visit on Wednesday and departed for Islamabad. He thanked the
Iraqi government and people for their warm hospitality and cordiality.



He
said his visit was fruitful and productive and hoped that it would pave the way
for more frequent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Iraq.



He
said he was confident that his visit would open new avenues of cooperation and
collaboration between the two countries for their mutual benefit.

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