Malaysia Will Open Again Embassy In Iraq After Closing 2 Decades

Archives - Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir (ANTARA/Shofi Ayudiana)

JAKARTA - Malaysia will reopen its embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, which has been temporarily closed for two decades.

"I have also conveyed the decision of the Malaysian Cabinet to operate the original Malaysian Embassy in Baghdad which has been temporarily closed since two decades ago," said Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 28.

He said the re-operation of the embassy in Baghdad would certainly open up more opportunities for new cooperation in various fields.

During an official three-day visit to Iraq, Zambry held a meeting with the supreme government leader, including Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraqi Parliament spokesman Mohammed Al-Halbousi, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

A number of cooperation commitments that were discussed during the official visit were in various sectors, especially the economy, education, air relations and tourism.

In addition, it discusses the possibility and opportunity to increase the number of trades and investments between the two countries, including exports of furniture, pharmaceutical products, electronic products and commodities from Malaysia.

Zambry also said that his party discussed the status of the Petronas operation in Iraq as well as wider opportunities in the new and renewable energy sector that the Malaysian oil and gas company could explore.

Regarding efforts to increase cooperation in the education sector, he said there was an agreement to exchange teachers, researchers and students in various fields.

As for the tourism sector, the two countries agreed to expand the air network where Malaysia welcomed the plan for Iraqi Airways to start regular flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Zambry made an official visit to Iraq on August 23-25, after on August 20-23 making an official visit to another West Asian country, namely Iran.

His visit as Minister of Foreign Affairs became the first at the ministerial level from Malaysia to Iraq after two decades due to political upheaval in the country.