Maliki, South Korean President discuss means of developing bilateral ties

Baghdad (NINA) - Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki exchanged views with the President of South Korea, Lee Myung Bak, on Thursday, in the presidential palace in the Korean capital Seoul, on ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.

A statement issued by Maliki’s office quoted him as emphasizing on "the importance of strengthening these relations bonding the two countries for years, and the need to strengthen and broaden them," noting that there are common points encouraging the expansion of cooperation frameworks and coordination in all domains, especially participation of Korean companies in development projects and investment.

He said: "our visit to Korea means many things; to expand relations in all domains, and that we seek to establish stable and growing relationships."

He added: "Iraq is seeking to benefit from the Korean experience in promoting the reality and reconstruction of the infrastructure," noting that the conditions experienced in the past of Korea is similar to the circumstances which have passed on Iraq.

Maliki went on saying "therefore, we want to benefit from the experience of Korea and to transfer those successes to Iraq," reiterating the fact that Iraq needs to develop all sectors, especially agriculture and industry.


For his part, South Korean President said that his country is willing to enhance these relations to serve the interests of two friendly countries.

He said that South Korea would like to participate in the process of reconstruction of Iraq through entering Korean companies into the Iraqi market, stressing the need for the two governments to take supportive policies in this field.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement to expand cooperation in energy and economy was signed. Present at the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Hussein Al Shahristani, Minister of Economy of South Korea Joey Jung Kyung representative from the Korean side. / End/
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