Berlin - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
arrived Tuesday in Iraq, marking a reawakening of ties between the
two countries after German opposition to the US invasion of Iraq in
2003.
The aim of the trip, which is the first visit to Baghdad by a
German foreign minister in 22 years, is to strengthen German-Iraqi
relations and discuss the current situation in Iraq and the region.
Steinmeier's visit started with talks to Iraqi Foreign Minister
Jalal Talabani, who spoke of the 'revival of the dormant
relations' between the two countries, adding that 'this visit is very
important' to Iraq.
During his visit, Steinmeier is also due to meet Iraqi president
Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Steinmeier said, 'In the last
months, the Iraqi government has achieved important successes in
stabilising the country politically.'
He added that his trip shows a German desire to 'support this new
Iraq on the path to democratic consolidation and the peaceful balance
between religions and ethnicities.'
Al-Maliki said he hoped the visit would 'improve the Iraqi-German
relationship', in an interview with German daily Bild.
The Iraqi premier called for greater political and economic
cooperation. 'I hope that German businesses accompany the foreign
minister, to see for themselves the improved situation,' he said.
To date, German involvement in Iraq has been limited to small
projects, such as training security forces.
The German foreign ministry has cited the change of government in
Washington, Iraq's political advances and increased independence from
the US, as well improvement in the country's security as reasons for
the policy turnaround.
Steinmeier is being accompanied on his trip by representatives of
German businesses and cultural institutions.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story