Astana, Kazakhstan, Feb. 24
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The Iraqi government expects Kazakhstan to open an embassy in Baghdad in 2015, Iraqi Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Kazakhstan, as well as in Tajikistan Rageh Al-Musawi told Trend on Feb. 24.
"The Iraqi government decided to open its representative office in Astana in 2008, first, at the level of a chargé d'affaires and at the ambassadorial level in two years. This is an expression of our desire to work with your country. We hope that Kazakhstan will take an action in return and will open an office in Baghdad in 2015. This must contribute to the expansion of relations and cooperation between our two countries."
He recalled that today many countries opened their embassies in Baghdad. Moreover, many high-ranking officials of the Iraqi government visited Astana after the Iraqi embassy was opened in Astana.
"The minister of finance, the minister of planning, the minister of industry and the minister of economy are expected to arrive in Astana this year," he said. "We invited Kazakh Prime Minister to visit our country. We believe that the mutual visits will play an important role in intensification of our relations."
Iraq's joining the Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan - Iran railway construction project may be discussed during the meetings or as part of the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.
"This railway will provide the Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan with a way to the Gulf countries, which we call the Arabian Gulf," the diplomat added. "And this route passes in close proximity to Iraq. So, we voiced an initiative on Iraq's accession to the project. It can help solve the issue of expanding the cooperation between our countries."
The interlocutor stressed that history plays an important role to bring the people of the two countries together. He recalled that famous thinker and philosopher Al-Farabi studied in Baghdad and Sultan Baibars also got his education in Baghdad.
Translated by NH
Edited by CN
