Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, on his official visit to Azerbaijan, has met with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders discussed the political, security, and economic developments on the international stage, especially the situation in Gaza.
They acknowledged the historical, political, and religious ties that encourage long-term exceptional partnerships between their nations. A consensus was reached to sign memoranda of understanding and agreements across various fields, aiming to create significant opportunities for economic, trade, tourism, political consultation, and occupational safety cooperation.
This visit signifies a potential turning point in Iraq-Azerbaijan relations. Despite previous attempts hindered by regional conflicts and global instability, the trade turnover between the two countries had been a modest $29 million. However, this visit could open doors to strengthened ties, with multiple MOUs signed in labor, tourism, political consultations, and aviation, marking steps towards greater socio-economic collaboration and trans-regional connectivity.
These developments come against a backdrop of historic ties and recent geopolitical shifts, potentially heralding a new era of partnership with implications for regional connectivity and mutual prosperity. The agreements signify a mutual intent to expand and deepen bilateral relations.