Baghdad Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein stressed the importance of Sweden as it hosts a large Iraqi community that plays an important role in the social and political life of that country.

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the Minister met today, Monday, Swedish Foreign Minister Anne Linde, on the sidelines of his participation in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, and during the meeting, they discussed the files of bilateral relations and exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

The Minister stressed the importance of Sweden as it hosts a large Iraqi community that plays an important role in the social and political life in Sweden, expressing his thanks to Sweden for the security and military support it provided to Iraq during its war on terrorism within the framework of the international coalition to combat the terrorist organization ISIS.

The two Ministers also discussed the latest developments at the political level in Iraq, preparations for the upcoming elections, and the Iraqi government’s achievements, especially in the areas of democracy, human rights and economic reforms.

The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening political and security cooperation between Iraq and Sweden, especially since the latter is currently chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

On the issue of migration and migrants, the two sides agreed to increase joint coordination and facilitate the return of Iraqis who wish to return voluntarily to Iraq.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs renewed the invitation to the Swedish Minister to visit Iraq to follow up on bilateral files and joint cooperation.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency