Al-Sudani and Zardari Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Expanding Economic and Security Cooperation

Baghdad / NINA /- Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani discussed bilateral relations with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during their meeting on Sunday, stressing the importance of advancing trade exchange between the two countries in a way that serves their mutual interests.

The talks covered a number of shared issues, including the situation of Pakistani labor in Iraq, the exchange of prisoners, and efforts to conclude an agreement on the extradition of wanted individuals.

According to a statement from his media office, Al-Sudani highlighted the deep-rooted historical relations between Iraq and Pakistan at both official and popular levels, expressing his appreciation for Pakistan’s principled positions on Islamic and Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian cause and the war on the Gaza Strip. He affirmed that Iraq is honored to welcome visitors from around the world, as it is home to diverse religions and communities, underscoring the need for coordination in the field of religious tourism.

The Prime Minister also expressed Iraq’s readiness to cooperate with Pakistan in the oil sector and its derivatives, thanking Pakistan for its efforts in military training and the exchange of expertise. He further noted the cooperation between Iraq’s Military Industrialization Authority and Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production, aimed at transferring military manufacturing technology and producing defense equipment.

For his part, President Zardari praised Iraq as a country of rich history and civilization, affirming his eagerness to visit Baghdad as a reflection of his pride in and belief in Iraq’s importance in the Islamic world and the Middle East.

President Zardari congratulated the Prime Minister on the successful conduct of the elections with broad participation, stressing the significance of Iraq’s emerging pivotal role and the restoration of its standing, which contributes to stability and balance. He expressed Pakistan’s readiness to cooperate with Iraq across various fields and to further develop areas of existing cooperation./ End