Qatari deputy PM visits Iraq to boost bilateral ties

Qatar's deputy prime minister on Wednesday paid an official visit to Baghdad and met with top Iraqi officials over bilateral relations.

Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed his country's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation with Iraq during the meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, said a statement issued by Abdul Mahdi's office.

"Iraq has emerged stronger after the victory over terrorism and we are looking forward to further cooperation in the fields of trade and energy in the next stage," the statement quoted Al-Thani as saying.

For Mahdi, he referred to the development of the economy, investment and job creation as priorities of his ministerial program.

"We are working for good relations with countries and facilitating investment procedures which will contribute to the development of the economy," he said.

During the meeting, Al-Thani, on behalf of the emir of Qatar, invited Mahdi to visit Qatar.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi also met with Al-Thani and his delegation to discuss means to enhance cooperation as well as the political development in Iraq and the Middle East region, according to a separate statement.

Halbousi urged Qatar to "contribute to the reconstruction campaign (of Iraq) and activate the investment in Iraq."

"The parliament is keen to facilitate investment environment through providing appropriate laws," Halbousi said.

Al-Thani and his delegation also held meetings with Iraqi President Barham Salih and Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Hakim.