Iraq, Egypt boosting relations

Baghdad, Dec. 30, INA

Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadhan received Saturday Egyptian delegation led by Foreign Trade Minister Yousif Butris Ghali, who is currently visiting Iraq to participate in the ninth session of the Iraqi-Egyptian Committee for economic and trade cooperation.

Mr. Ramadhan affirmed that Iraq gives priority to Egyptian firms in its trade dealings to strengthen relations between the two brotherly countries. Cooperation that was achieved between Iraq and Egypt is a real start for establishing the joint Arab market, Mr. Ramadhan said.

Mr. Ramadhan called for opening new ways for expanding cooperation in the private industry sector.

For his part, Mr. Butris said that the Egyptian delegation would discuss all issues that could strengthen trade and economic cooperation with Iraq.

Iraq and Egypt start on Saturday talks for activating cooperation in electricity field.

The talks, which were chaired by Director of Electricity Commission Sahban Faisal Mahjoub for Iraq and by Egyptian Minister of electricity and energy Hassan Younsi, provided for setting up joint projects in electricity field.

Mr. Mahjoub affirmed that Iraq is ready to cooperate with Arabs especially with Egyptian people who have honorable stands towards Iraq's just issue calling for ending embargo and aggression.

For his part, Mr. Younsi expressed Egypt's readiness to boost economic cooperation with Iraq.