FM embarks on official visit to Iraq Wednesday

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will head on Wednesday for Baghdad on an official visit to Iraq for talks on bilateral relations, regional and international issues of common interest as well as efforts exerted to combat terrorism and extremism.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry will meet with Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, Vice President Iyad Allawi, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al Jaafari, Parliament Speaker Selim al Jabouri as well as a number of Iraqi political figures. 
He also said Shoukry's visit comes at a critical time in which the Arab nation faces many challenges that require closing the Arab ranks in order to counter the threats against its national security especially terrorism. 
The spokesman also said the visit would witness holding a strategic dialogue between the two countries' foreign ministers. Egypt reaffirms its support for Baghdad in its fight against terrorism and its reconstruction efforts, said the spokesman.
Shoukry's talks with the Iraqi officials will focus on means of promoting bilateral relations so as to cope up with the relations binding the two countries and peopled, the spokesman said.
The Egyptian and Iraqi sides are expected to agree on activating the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee under the two countries' premiers, added the spokesman.
The Egyptian foreign minister's visit to Baghdad will also provide a chance for both sides to consult over the latest developments in the region along with other issues relevant to protection of the Arab national security, the spokesman added.

Source:Mena