The PM’s special envoy is accompanied by representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Oil and Gas group and several enterprises.

While in Iraq, Mr Hung met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Oil and Industry, the President of the National Investment Committee and the Pernament Deputy Minister of Agriculture. He also held talks with the Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister.

Mr Hung handed over PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s letter to the Iraqi PM which carried a message affirming that Vietnam attaches importance to Iraq’s role and position in the Middle East. The Vietnamese PM also expresses his wish to boost the friendly relation and multifaceted cooperation with Iraq, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, investment and oil and gas cooperation. He also stresses the need to enhance coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially at the UN Security Council.

PM Nuri al-Maliki stated that the two countries have favourable conditions to further develop their cooperation, particularly in agriculture, oil and gas and trade.

He agreed that the two countries will hold the 18th meeting of the Iraq-Vietnam Joint Committee in Baghdad. He expressed his hope that Vietnam would soon reopen its embassy in Iraq to facilitate cooperation between the two countries.

During meetings with Iraqi cabinet members, the Vietnamese PM’s special envoy discussed with them measures to boost economic cooperation between the two countries. Iraqi officials pledged to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to engage in Iraq reconstruction and export rice, tea, cement, iron and steel to the country.