ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on Saturday to boost bilateral ties and cooperation at international forums, the Pakistani foreign office said.
Qureshi arrived on a three-day visit to Baghdad on Friday to meet with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
During his meetings, he highlighted vast opportunities for Pakistan-Iraq cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology and infrastructure development.
"Pakistan is focusing on its geo-economic priorities," Qureshi said, as quoted in a statement by the foreign office.
"Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi expressed Iraq's interest in cooperation in health sector, as well as the possibility of utilizing Pakistan's health facilities for Iraqi people," the foreign office said
The foreign minister also discussed with the Iraqi leaders issues related to the management and wellbeing of Pakistani pilgrims who regularly visit sacred sites in Iraq.
When he met Hussein earlier in the day, they agreed to further Pakistan-Iraq cooperation in multilateral organizations such the United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"The two foreign ministers agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in international fora, including the United Nations and the OIC," the foreign office said.
Defense ties were also discussed as Qureshi said Pakistan and Iraq can also share their experiences and "benefit from each other's experiences in the war on terror."
