Azernews.Az

Iraq intends to expand its cooperation with Azerbaijan in all areas, including economics and energy, particularly the oil and gas sector, its Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told a news conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov on a visit to Baku Friday.

"During the talks with my Azerbaijani counterpart, we agreed to conduct ministerial consultations, sign agreements on visa facilitation for people with diplomatic and service passports, on avoidance of double taxation, and ink a memorandum on political consultations to develop our political relations," Zebari said.

Zebari said Iraq is a strategically important market and suggested that Azerbaijani companies contribute to the rehabilitation of the post-war country’s infrastructure.

According to the minister, Azerbaijan plans to open an embassy in Iraq, and the country’s parliament has already passed a relevant decision. He said the Iraqi government is ready to provide guarantees for the safety of Azerbaijani diplomats who will be delegated to Baghdad.

Mammadyarov, for his part, said the Azerbaijani embassy will begin operating next year.

He added: "Historically, Azerbaijan and Iraq have maintained very deep ties. As early as in the Soviet period, there was an Iraqi general consulate in Baku."

Zebari said Iraq has always supported Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh and will continue to adhere to this position.