ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday arrived in Iraqi capital Baghdad on a three-day visit at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart to discuss the promotion of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq at the level of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, United Nations and its subsidiaries.
The FM’s visit to Iraq is a link in the development of high-level relations with Muslim countries in the light of Prime Minister Imran’s vision.
At Baghdad International Airport, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iraq Dr Saleh Al-Tamimi received Qureshi. Iraqi Ambassador to Pakistan Hamid Lafta, Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Iraq Ahmed Amjad Ali, and senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry officials were also present.
It merits mention here that Iraq played a key role in facilitating the recent quiet parleys between the leadership of Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help bridge differences between the two Muslim countries. These talks were a part of the peace initiative started by Prime Minister Imran to bring the two Muslim countries closer.
Imran Khan visited both countries to help bridge their differences and in the second phase, Iraqi president played a key role.
During his brief visit to Iraq, the foreign minister will hold meetings with his Iraqi counterpart Fawad Hussein and other senior Iraqi leaders. The FM will also meet with Iraqi President Braham Saleh and other senior Iraqi officials. Talks will also be held with the Iraqi leadership on enhancing bilateral political and defense cooperation.
It is hoped that this visit of the foreign minister will further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In his meetings with the Iraqi leadership, the foreign minister will also discuss the difficulties faced by Pakistani pilgrims to Iraq each year and the steps to be taken to facilitate them.
The meetings will focus on promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields, including bilateral relations, trade, investment, education, agriculture, information technology and defense.
The foreign minister will brief the Iraqi leadership on Pakistan’s position on key regional issues, including the Palestinian issue, the Kashmir issue and the Afghan peace process.
It is hoped that the visit of the foreign minister will further strengthen the bilateral fraternal relations between the two countries.
