Armenia to Open Consulate General in Erbil, Iraq

BAGHDAD — Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has paid an official visit to Iraq on February 16-17.

During the official visit, Minister Nalbandian met with Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshiar Zebari..

Greeting the Armenian Foreign Minister, the PM said his country was interested in the deepening of cooperation with Armenia in all possible domains. Minister Nalbandian, in turn, hailed the centuries-old relations between the two friendly nations and states and added that his visit was aimed at the further development of ties.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the expansion of the legal framework, promotion of cooperation in the fields of trade, education, healthcare, agriculture and others, establishment of direct air communication between Armenia and Iraq and the activity of the Inter-Governmental Commission.

The Armenian Foreign Minister informed the Iraqi PM about the intention to open the Consulate General of Armenia in the city of Erbil. He also presented the Armenian Government’s decision to ease visa requirements for Iraqi citizens, voicing hope that it will help intensify the business ties.

Speaking about the Armenian community of Iraq, the Prime Minister said: “Armenians have worked and created here for centuries. Despite the hard conditions, the Iraqi Armenians continue to work for the sake of Iraq’s prosperity.”