ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iraq have signed agreements to enhance cultural cooperation and abolish visas on diplomatic passports of both countries, the Pakistani foreign office said on Monday, hours after the arrival of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Baghdad.
Bhutto-Zardari arrived in Baghdad on a three-day visit Monday morning, where he was to meet the Iraqi leadership and lay the foundation stone of Pakistan's own embassy building, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
Upon arrival, the Pakistani foreign minister was received by Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammad Hussain Bahr-ul-Uloom, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iraq Ahmed Amjad Ali, and senior officials of the Pakistani embassy.
Bhutto-Zardari later met his Iraqi counterpart, Dr. Fuad Hussein, the Iraqi deputy prime minister and other officials and discussed with him bilateral relations between the two countries.
"Two MOUs (memoranda of understanding) have been signed between Pakistan and Iraq during the visit of FM [Bhutto-Zardari]," the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
"MOU to enhance cultural cooperation & visa abolition on diplomatic and official passports."
Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Iraqi counterpart Dr. Fuad Hussein sign MoU in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 5, 2023. (Foreign Office of Pakistan)
In his meeting with the Iraqi counterpart, Bhutto-Zardari discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
"During delegation-level talks, the two FMs agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields of cooperation," the foreign office said.
Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (left) meets Iraqi counterpart Dr. Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 5, 2023. (Foreign Office of Pakistan)
During his stay in Iraq, Bhutto-Zardari will also lay the foundation stone of Pakistan's own embassy building, besides visiting places of historic significance.
Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years.
In August last year, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Dr. Hussein visited Islamabad to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
During the visit, a memorandum of understanding on "Bilateral Political Consultations" was signed so that regular consultations on bilateral, regional and international issues could be held between the two nations.
