An inauguration ceremony was held today marking the official opening of the new Iraqi Embassy in Bahrain. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari attended the event. Addressing the opening ceremony, Shaikh Khalid expressed his delight at taking part, alongside his Iraqi counterpart, in opening the diplomatic milestone which reflects Iraq's centuries-old history and civilisation. He stressed the importance of deep-rooted historic relations, which contributed to bolstering bilateral ties in all fields. "Bahrain has always been an extension of all successive Iraqi remarkable civilisations", he said, stressing historic bonds linking the Sumerians and Ancient Mesopotamia with Delmon, Land of Eternity. Iraq, he said, still represents a beacon of religious and cultural knowledge for generations of Bahrainis, commending the role of the Iraqi Community in Bahrain as well as its educational and cultural contribution. He wished the new Iraqi ambassador and Embassy diplomatic staff every success in performing their duties. Iraqi Ambassador Hoshyar Zebari commended the Ishtar Gate-shaped diplomatic milestone which symbolizes bridges of history and civilisations bonding the two countries. "The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries date back to Bahrain's independence in 1971", he said