Pakistan, Iraq agree to enhance bilateral ties as Bilawal visits Baghdad

BAGHDAD: Pakistan and Iraq have agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse and multidimensional areas including diplomatic ties during Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Baghdad, ARY News reported on Monday.

FM Bilawal arrived in Iraq from Jordan on the second leg of his three-day visit this morning. Deputy foreign minister Muhammad Hussain Bahr-ul-Uloom, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iraq Ahmed Amjad Ali, and other officials received the foreign minister.

The foreign minister met his Iraqi counterpart Muhammad Hussain Bahr-ul-Uloom and exchanged views on different aspects of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iraq.

Both countries signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) during the meeting. One to “enhance cultural cooperation” and another to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic and official passports.

2 MOUs have been signed between #Pakistan and #Iraq during the visit of FM @BBhuttoZardari 👇🏽

➖MOU to enhance cultural cooperation &
➖visa abolition on diplomatic and official passports.

🇵🇰🤝🇮🇶#PakFMinIraq pic.twitter.com/f9Ll0YKJNI

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 5, 2023

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq would strengthen in the future.

Addressing a joint press stakeout with his Iraqi counterpart, FM Bilawal expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation between Islamabad and Baghdad would strengthen in the future.

FM @BBhuttoZardari and Iraqi FM @Fuad_Husseein addressed a joint press conference. They reaffirmed the strength of abiding & historical #Pakistan #Iraq ties and expressed their commitment to further consolidate this relationship. #PakFMinIraq

🇵🇰🤝🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/tQZWMrXz8y

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 5, 2023

He said that both the countries enjoyed decades-old ties and they always supported each other in the hour of need. Bilawal told the media that every year, a huge number of Pakistani pilgrims visit Iraq to pay respects at shrines.

Bilawal also called on Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal and similar sentiments were exchanged.

FM @BBhuttoZardari called on President of Iraq, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal in Baghdad today. They appreciated trajectory of bil. relations & agreed to expand mutually beneficial coop. 🇵🇰 & 🇮🇶 enjoy close & cordial relations based on mutual respect & shared values.#PakFMinIraq
🇵🇰🤝🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/ttVWWX3Ld2

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 5, 2023

Separately, the Foreign Minister also called on Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani and conveyed best wishes to the leadership and the people of Iraq.

FM @BBhuttoZardari called on Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani and conveyed best wishes to the leadership & people of 🇮🇶. They agreed to further strengthen multidimensional cooperation & to further cement brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iraq.#PakFMinIraq
🇵🇰🤝🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/20v2zuBaj6

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 5, 2023

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Twitter account, Bilawal reached Iraq on June 5 and is to stay till June 7, 2023.