Foreign Minister Meets His Italian Counterpart In Rome And Discusses With Him Exchange Of Support In Various Fields

Baghdad / NINA / -Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Sunday in the Italian capital, Rome. The ministry's statement stated that during the meeting, bilateral relations between Baghdad and Rome were discussed, and ways to consolidate them within the framework of strengthening joint cooperation between the two countries, and work to activate the Iraqi-Italian joint committee in a way that contributes to achieving the interests of the two friendly countries. The minister delivered a congratulatory message presented by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on the occasion of his assumption of his new position, including an invitation to visit Iraq. The Minister expressed his thanks for Italy's stances in support of Iraq, especially in confronting the terrorist organization ISIS through its participation in the international coalition and the NATO mission. The minister affirmed that Iraq has now become an attractive arena for companies and foreign investments in various sectors after achieving the final victory over ISIS terrorist gangs, establishing security, and being politically open to its regional and international surroundings, noting the importance of agreeing the strategy of cooperation between the two friendly countries, and Iraq’s desire for Italian companies, specialized in the field of energy and oil, to be strongly present, and benefit from the Italian expertise in the field of antiquities. The two ministers also discussed a number of issues of common concern, as well as issues related to international organizations, including the United Nations, and the expansion of cooperation in the field of mutual support to obtain membership in international organizations and councils. The minister also touched on the problem of accounts and funds frozen since the fall of the previous regime in 2003 in Italian banks and the need to solve this dilemma. For his part, the Italian Foreign Minister expressed the condolences of his country's government over Ibn Al-Khatib hospital accident, in which a number of citizens were killed, wishing mercy to the victims and a speedy recovery for the wounded. He affirmed his country's keenness to deepen the bonds of relations between the two friendly countries, and stressed on making efforts and communicating with the concerned authorities to solve the problem of frozen funds in Italy, indicating that in the future he will visit Iraq to closely examine the Iraqi reality and its various aspects./ End