President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s official visit to the Republic of Iraq

The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan will be on an official visit to the Republic of Iraq from 26 to 29 February at the invitation of the Iraqi side.

During the visit, the President will meet with the President of Iraq and representatives of the country's top leadership. A lecture by President Vahagn Khachaturyan at the University of Baghdad and a meeting with representatives of the local Armenian community are planned.

***

The welcoming ceremony of President Vahagn Khachaturyan took place at the "Baghdad Palace", the presidential residence of the Republic of Iraq.

Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is in Iraq on an official visit, was greeted by the President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid.

***

President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Iraq, had a private conversation with his counterpart, President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid.

The private conversation was followed by an expanded meeting of the two countries’ delegations.

Welcoming the President of the Republic and the members of the delegation, the President of fthe Republic of Iraq stressed the importance of high-level mutual visits in terms of strengthening bilateral relations and noted: "Cooperation between Armenia and Iraq is developing dynamically in all spheres, and we already have certain achievements on a number of issues. I am confident that the official visit of the President of Armenia to Iraq will contribute to strengthening relations between our countries, I also believe that we shall have effective discussions during the visit and new successes will be reached in deepening cooperation in economic, cultural, tourism, technological and other spheres."

Expressing his gratitude for the warm hospitality, President Vahagn Khachaturyan noted: "We see your warm attitude towards us, which testifies to the historically established friendship between our nations. My visit was preceded by your visit to the Republic of Armenia, which was highly anticipated and historic. Today, we must continue to strengthen cooperation between our countries, especially since its potential exists in almost all spheres of the economy, education, science, high technology and others.

I am pleased to state that we were able to jointly initiate the beginning of a new stage in the development of relations between Armenia and Iraq."

During the meeting, issues on the agenda for strengthening Armenian-Iraqi cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, high technology, tourism and culture were discussed. The possibilities of fully realizing the potential of cooperation between the two countries and taking the necessary steps in this direction were touched upon. The importance of the active work of the Intergovernmental Commission was emphasized.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the implementation of necessary measures for the mutual liberalization of the visa regime for citizens of the two countries.
The importance of the continuous development of cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments and parliamentary diplomacy was noted at the meeting.

During the conversation, the general situation in our region was touched upon, in this context, President Khachaturyan confirmed Armenia's principled approach to achieving stable, long-lasting peace in the region. Vahagn Khachaturyan stressed that Armenia takes a clear position on establishing good-neighborly and stable relations with its neighbors and partners, which will be based on territorial integrity, sovereignty, primacy of basic international principles and rights.

***

President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to Iraq, and President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid summed up their private conversation and the meeting of the two countries' delegations in an expanded format with statements to the media.

The President of the Republic stated in his speech։

"Today I am here in Baghdad with great joy, within the framework of the first official and thus historic visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia to the friendly Republic of Iraq. I am grateful for your warm welcome and hospitality.

Months ago, we welcomed my counterpart Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid in Yerevan, within the framework of the historic visit of the President of the Republic of Iraq. Today, my visit to the Republic of Iraq is another historical achievement in the history of our bilateral relations, which testifies to the high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Iraq.

During the warm conversation with President Rashid, we discussed the broad agenda of the development of Armenian-Iraqi cooperation, we touched upon many issues of mutual interest. In particular, we emphasized the maintenance of a high-level political dialogue between Armenia and Iraq, the continuity of high-level mutual visits and meetings, and the expansion of the existing legal-contractual field between the two countries in various spheres.

We stated with satisfaction the growth rates of trade turnover between Armenia and Iraq in recent years, stressing the importance of deepening trade and economic ties and diversification of imports and exports between our countries.

We agreed that the relevant agencies of both sides will work to enhance business ties and ensure mutual active participation in exhibitions and conferences of various fields held in Armenia and Iraq.

From the point of view of the development of Armenian-Iraqi relations, we stressed the role of the Armenian-Iraqi Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and noted with satisfaction that the points of the protocol signed in the result of the commission’s regular meeting last September have already begun to be implemented, giving a new impetus to bilateral cooperation.

We attached importance to the intensification of cooperation between Armenia and Iraq in the fields of energy, agriculture, high technologies, in particular, digitalization, e-government, technological education and other related fields, as well as in the fields of health, education, science, culture and humanitarian, noting the great potential existing in the above-mentioned spheres.

We touched upon the prospects for deepening Armenian-Iraqi cooperation in the fields of defense and security, noting mutual interest in developing ties in these areas.

In the context of Armenian-Iraqi relations, we attached importance to the role of the Armenian community in Iraq. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to the leadership and people of friendly Iraq for providing shelter, freedom of living and ample opportunities for creativity to the Armenian Genocide survivors. Iraqi Armenians have always been full-fledged citizens of your country, contributing to the prosperity and development of Iraq with their talents and abilities.

We discussed a number of issues related to regional developments, stressing the need for a peaceful settlement of existing conflicts based on international law and respect by all countries for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and equal rights of each other.

I presented to my counterpart the work carried out by the Republic of Armenia to establish stability and peace in the South Caucasus. I once again underlined the importance of unblocking the regional infrastructure and in this context the "Crossroads of Peace" project.

I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid for the warm hospitality of the delegation led by me and for holding discussions in a friendly atmosphere."

***

President of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid hosted an official dinner in honor of President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on official visit to the Republic of Iraq.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Prime Minister of Iraq Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani.

Welcoming the President of Armenia, the Prime Minister of Iraq noted: "Dear Mr. President, I highly appreciate your visit to Iraq, the visit of the President of the Republic of Iraq to your country, the constant meetings that take place, of which I would single out your meetings in Davos, my meeting with my counterpart-Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in Munich, and these are indicators of the close relations between our countries and the further development of the potential existing in these relations".

Thanking for the warm welcome, President Vahagn Khachaturyan noted: "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I fully agree that the visit of the President of Iraq to Armenia last November, and this visit of mine will be an incentive for the development of relations between our countries, and I am confident that our meetings will have practical significance and results".

Over the course of the meeting, the potential of cooperation between Armenia and Iraq in the fields of economy, energy, high technologies, electronic management systems, tourism, health and other fields, as well as the need to intensify steps for implementation of the mentioned were discussed.

During the conversation, the sides highly appreciated the role of the Armenian community of Iraq in the mutual knowledge of the two countries and people, which is an important basis for further strengthening relations.

Both sides stressed the close historical and cultural ties between the two nations, which contributes to the constant development of friendship and partnership.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the general regional situation and existing developments. They stressed the need to resolve existing problems and challenges through peaceful negotiations and the imperative of regulation within the framework of the supremacy of basic international rights and norms.

***

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan visited the Armenian Apostolic Prelacy in Baghdad within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq.

The President, accompanied by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, Bishop Oshakan Gulgulyan, toured the church, then laid a wreath at the memorial dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to Iraq, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with representatives of the Armenian community and organizations of Baghdad.

During the meeting, in a frank atmosphere the President presented details about the general situation and developments in Armenia's internal and foreign policy, economic and public life, talked with the attendees and answered their questions.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan delivered a lecture at the University of Baghdad, answered professors’ and students’ questions about Armenian-Iraqi relations, the results of the President's official visit and regional realities.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan arrived in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, where he will hold meetings with President of the Kurdistan region Nechirvan Barzani and other representatives of the top leadership.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with the Honorary President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Welcoming the visit of the President of the Republic to the Republic of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan, the Honorary President noted the visit as historic and stressed that it would serve as a positive incentive for strengthening friendship and developing relations between the two countries and people.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome, President Vahagn Khachaturyan stressed the importance of multi-layered historical and cultural ties between the people of two countries, which is a solid foundation for further deepening cooperation.

Over the course of the meeting, the possibilities of promoting steps towards the development of relations between Armenia and Iraqi Kurdistan were touched upon.

The sides exchanged views on the prospects and concrete actions for realizing the existing mutually beneficial potential of cooperation.

The interlocutors touched upon a number of regional and global problems and existing issues related to their settlement. In this context, both sides stressed the imperative to resolve conflicts and problems exclusively through peaceful means and negotiations, in compliance with international law and basic principles.

***

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil.

Welcoming the official visit of the President of Armenia, Nechirvan Barzani stressed that such visits contribute to the strengthening and development of both bilateral relations and relations between the countries of the region.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that high-level mutual visits positively contribute both to the knowledge of each other of the two countries’ people and to strengthening existing ties and establishing new contacts in economic, cultural, tourism, business and other spheres.

Over the course of the meeting, issues related to the implementation of the necessary steps for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of economics, high technologies, digital management, tourism, education and science and other fields were discussed. Both sides stressed the need to invest efforts for the full realization of the existing potential of cooperation in various fields.

During the conversation, the sides attached importance to implementing investment programs, as well as the necessary measures to create an enabling environment for investment.

***

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan received Deputy Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Qubad Talabani at his residence (in Erbil).

During the meeting, issues aimed at realizing the existing potential of cooperation in the field of high technologies, digital management, energy and, in particular, the exploitation of green energy were discussed.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani stressed the interest of the Kurdistan side in sharing best practices in the field of innovative education, in particular, on the example of the Armenian "Armat" and "Tumo" centers.

During the conversation, a reference was made to the current situation in the financial and banking systems, as well as reforms and possible application of Armenia's experience in these fields.

The sides exchanged views on deepening cooperation in the fields of healthcare, education and science, as well as on further promotion of student exchange programs.

***

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with representatives of the Armenian community of Erbil and adjacent districts, organizations.

During the meeting, in a frank atmosphere the President presented details about the general situation and developments in Armenia's internal and foreign policy, economic and public life, talked with the attendees and answered their questions.

***

President Vahagn Khachaturyan visited Ainkawa Armenian Church in Erbil.

Accompanied by Bishop Oshakan Gulgulyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, the President toured the church and laid a wreath at the memorial dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The church was built with the support of the Iraqi Kurdistan authorities. About a hundred Christian churches and shrines are under direct state custody by the country's authorities, providing full or partial financing for their protection and reconstruction, including the provision of free premises.