Foreign Minister Meets His Finnish Counterpart In New York

BAGHDAD / NINA / Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari confirmed Iraq's willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding with Finland, calling on Finland to re-open its embassy in Baghdad. Jaafari said, during a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister, Timo Sweeney on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Iraq is looking forward to deepening relations with Finland and cooperate with it at various levels", praising Finland's participation in the international coalition. Jaafari said: "The Iraqi forces, with all its factions, making achievement in their battles against the terrorist Daash, in spite of the increasing number of elements of Daash from last year." Jaafari also invited Sweeney to visit Iraq to strengthening bilateral relations in all fields. For his part, Sweeney said his country would continue to support Iraq and train Iraqis in Irbil, stressing that Daash will be defeated in the end, and the people will return to their towns. Finnish Foreign Minister promised that he will respond to the invitation and will visit Iraq in the coming period. / End