YEREVAN. – Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, arrived in Iraq’s capital city Baghdad, on February 16, on an official visit.

Nalbandian was met at the airport by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari of Iraq. Subsequently, the two FMs had a short private talk. 

On Monday, the Armenian FM was received by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq, informs the Armenian MFA press service.

The Iraqi PM noted that his country is interested in the deepening of cooperation with Armenia.

In turn, Nalbandian stressed that relations between the Armenian and the Iraqi peoples have a long history.

“We highly appreciate the relations between our two peoples and states, and we want to develop them further,” he added. 

The Iraq PM and the Armenia FM discussed the avenues for promoting collaboration between the two countries, and the measures to be taken to open direct flights between the two countries. 

FM Nalbandian also informed PM al-Maliki about Armenia’s plans to establish a consulate general in the City of Erbil, and the facilitation of the procedure for the issuance of Armenian visas for the Iraqi citizens.    

It was also noted that the trade turnover between the two countries increased several times during the last four years, and it already totals close to $80 million.

Reflecting on the Iraqi-Armenian community, Nouri al-Maliki specifically said: “The Armenians have worked and created in Iraq for centuries, and the Iraqi Armenians continue to work for the prosperity of Iraq.”    

On the same day, Armenia’s FM met with Vice President Khodair al-Khozaei of Iraq. 

Al-Khozaei noted that Armenian-Iraqi cooperation recorded a significant growth and, in this connection, he underscored the reopening of the embassies of both countries in one another’s capital cities. He stressed that Iraq stands ready to go forward with huge steps to develop relations with Armenia.

For his part, Edward Nalbandian asked Al-Khozaei to convey Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s greetings and best wishes to President Jalal Talabani of Iraq.  

At the ensuing talk, the interlocutors reflected on bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Iraq in a number of domains.