The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, met with the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dato' Sri D. Zamri, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Baghdad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, and Fouad Hussein welcomed the Malaysian government's decision to open its Embassy in Iraq, stressing that Iraq will provide all means of support for the success of the Embassy's work."

The Ministry added in its statement, "The two sides discussed the issue of granting entry visas to citizens of the two countries, and they discussed economic relations and investment opportunities in Iraq, calling on Malaysian companies to work in Iraq in the field of infrastructure."

He explained, "The experience of the Malaysian oil company, Tronas, was a successful one, pointing out that the meeting discussed the issue of Malaysian companies operating airports, in addition to discussing the Malaysian oil market and how to access it."

He added, "We discussed economic and cultural affairs and religious tourism, stressing that there are commonalities between the Iraqi and Malaysian peoples in terms of religion and the federal experience," adding that there is a political will to deepen and develop relations between the two countries.

For his part, Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Sri D. Zamri expressed, "Malaysia's desire to develop relations between the two countries, noting that the aim of the visit is to reopen the Malaysian Embassy in Iraq, and it is hoped that it will be reopened within the next two weeks."

He pointed out, "Under the auspices of the Malaysian Prime Minister, there are efforts to deepen and develop relations between the two countries.

He stressed seeking to enter the citizens of the two countries without the need for entry visas, explaining that there are mutual views to achieve cooperation in all fields and achieve the peace agenda.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency