President of Iraq in Cyprus on first official visit

President of Iraq Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, who is paying Cyprus an official visit, said that the two countries share common interests and extended an invitation to President Nikos Christodoulides to visit Iraq.

Welcoming his Iraqi counterpart at the Presidential Palace, the President of Cyprus said that this is a historic visit, since it is the first by a President of Iraq to Cyprus.

According to a press release by the Presidency, during their meeting, Christodoulides said that the talks they will have with their respective delegations, will focus on issues related to bilateral relations, such as the economy, investments, security, counter-terrorism, but also issues related to the cooperation of the two countries in international fora.

He pointed out that Cyprus, being an EU member state in the region, is in favor of strengthening EU relations with Iraq. Your visit to Cyprus, he told his Iraqi counterpart, sends the message of your commitment to strengthening the cooperation of the two countries.

The President of Iraq said that Iraq is in a very good situation, enjoying security and stability and strengthening its relations with other countries.

He added that Iraq has a common culture and common interests with Cyprus and extended an invitation to President Christodoulides to visit Baghdad, an invitation that was accepted.

During the official welcoming ceremony, the Iraqi President laid a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III and then the two Presidents proceeded inside the Presidential Palace for their a tete-a-tete meeting that was followed by expanded talks. They will then make statements to the press.

The President of the Republic will also host an official lunch for his Iraqi counterpart.