ANN/THE STAR – The Malaysian embassy in Iraq will re-open after 20 years, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said.
Zambry said the Cabinet’s decision was communicated to the Iraqi government during his first official visit to the nation from August 23 to 25.
Malaysia closed the embassy following riots in Baghdad at the time.
The historic visit, the first formal ministerial visit to Iraq since 2002, also resulted in the acceptance of Iraqi Airways’ intentions to resume regular flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The two nations also agreed to explore more areas of collaboration in numerous sectors, including the economy, education, aviation linkages, and tourism.
Zambry said his visit was at the invitation of his counterpart, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations Affairs and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Fuad Hussein.
He said the visit has opened a new chapter in the ties between the two countries.
“I also expressed Malaysia’s willingness to explore all routes and the opportunities available to increase the amount of trade and investment, including increasing exports of furniture, pharmaceutical products, electrical and electronic products and commodities to Iraq.
“In the field of investment, the Iraqi government has welcomed the presence of companies from Malaysia to implement infrastructure projects for the reconstruction of Iraq.
“I also discussed the operational status of Petronas in Iraq as well as wider opportunities in the energy sector that can be explored by Petronas,” Zambry said in a statement yesterday.
Zambry also met Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi.
He said other matters achieved were the agreement to encourage an exchange of high-level visits between the two countries and the implementation of the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between Malaysia and Iraq delayed since 2005.
Zambry said Malaysia has conveyed its willingness to participate in construction projects and airport management, road system and water resource management.
The two countries have also agreed to increase cooperation in the field of education through exchange of teaching staff, researchers and students in various fields.
