POLITICS
Azerbaijan`s FM visits Iraq
Baku, February 11 (AZERTAC). An Azerbaijani delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has visited Iraq.
During the trip, Mammadyarov met Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari.
The Azerbaijani Minister and the Iraqi Premier discussed development of the bilateral relations, prospects for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and education, as well as the activity of the Azerbaijan-Iraq Intergovernmental Commission.
Mammadyarov briefed Nouri al-Maliki on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He also highlighted UN Security Council`s four resolutions demanding an unconditional and immediate withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan`s occupied lands, adding official Yerevan still refuses to honor the resolutions, and continues occupation of Azerbaijan`s lands.
Nouri al-Maliki, in turn, said Iraq was ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in a variety of fields.
He also noted Iraq has supported Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and stressed the importance of fulfillment of the resolutions and documents adopted by the international organizations.
The Azerbaijani Minister then met his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.
They lauded the development of political relations between the two countries.
They also stressed the necessity to step up efforts towards boosting cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, transport and education.
Mr. Mammadyarov briefed his Iraqi counterpart on regional strategic energy and transport projects carried out with the participation of Azerbaijan.
The FMs signed an agreement on visa-free movement of the citizens holding diplomatic, special and service passport between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs of Iraq, Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Iraq Intergovernmental Commission Turhan al-Mufti was also present at the meeting.
Following the meeting, Elmar Mammadyarov and Hoshyar Zebari gave a press conference.