Rome: Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani emphasized the importance of developing economic relations and expanding investment opportunities, in addition to supporting cultural cooperation, particularly in the field of antiquities and the protection of cultural heritage.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, met with his Italian counterpart during his official visit to Rome. They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and developments in the regional situation.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Italian Minister welcomed Minister Fuad Hussein's visit, emphasizing its importance at this stage for strengthening relations between Iraq and Italy, particularly in light of the rapid developments in the region.

The Foreign Minister provided a comprehensive briefing on the internal political landscape in Iraq, noting the success of the recent elections, their smooth and organized conduct, and the broad political participation, which reflects the progress of the democratic process in the country.

In the context of strengthening bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Minister requested that the Italian side reconsider the restrictions imposed on travel to Iraq, in light of the marked improvement in the security situation and the stability the country is experiencing. The Italian Minister expressed his understanding of this request and promised to work towards fulfilling it.

Minister Fuad Hussein also called for moving forward with the signing of a memorandum of understanding that would exempt holders of diplomatic passports from visa requirements for travel to Italy, facilitating official communication and enhancing cooperation between institutions in both countries.

He expressed his gratitude to the Italian side for its continued support to Iraq, particularly in addressing security challenges and combating terrorism, as well as its contributions to supporting political stability and strengthening the democratic process.

Both sides commended the level of cooperation between their countries in the fields of defense, security, and intelligence, especially in the fight against terrorism.

The meeting addressed the priority of achieving stability in the Middle East region and discussed developments in Gaza, where both sides expressed their support for the American initiative that led to the ceasefire and the necessity of supporting stability and reaching sustainable solutions.

The Iranian issue was also discussed, with emphasis placed on the importance of avoiding escalation and supporting efforts aimed at preventing any military conflict.

Regarding the situation in Syria, the two ministers agreed on the importance of monitoring developments and supporting efforts to achieve security and political stability there.