Pakistan, Iraq agree to convene ‘early’ meeting of joint ministerial commission after years

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (R) listens as his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (L) speaks during a press conference after a meeting during his visit in Islamabad, Pakistan, on August 11, 2021. (AFP)

• Sign memorandum of understanding to establish bilateral political consultation mechanism
• Iraqi foreign minister’s visit comes in backdrop of number of ministerial-level visits in past few months

ISLAMABAD: Dr. Fuad Hussein, the foreign minister of Iraq, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday and met his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, with both leaders agreeing to convene an “early” meeting of the 9th session of Pakistan – Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC)
The two dignitaries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a bilateral political consultation mechanism to facilitate regular consultations on bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The visit of the Iraqi foreign minister comes in the backdrop of a number of ministerial-level visits between both sides in the past few months. Qureshi visited Iraq in May 2021.
“We feel the last one [JMC] met many, many years ago and this a good forum to ensure follow up of such a useful meeting,” Qureshi said while addressing a joint press briefing along with Hussein. He said the two sides had discussed cooperation in a number of fields, including “trade, energy, religious tourism, defense cooperation, human resource employment and some consular matters.” 
The Iraqi foreign minister said the two nations were discussing how they could become “partners” in various fields and acknowledged that trade relations between the two nations were not up to the mark, with much room for expansion. 
The two leaders also discussed regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, and expressed their concerns over mounting violence there.
“Afghanistan needs peace. Peace in Afghanistan will affect its neighboring countries ... but violence in Afghanistan affects all of us,” Hussein said. “We are worried … we hope that the solution will be through a peace process and negotiations between and among various political parties in Afghanistan.” 
“​Matters pertaining to Zaireen [pilgrims] visiting Iraq and people-to-people contacts also came under discussion,” the foreign office said in a statement about the two leaders’ meeting. “While appreciating the measures taken by the Iraqi government for the well-being of Zaireen during the Covid times, Foreign Minister Qureshi requested for further facilitation in visas and travel.”