German foreign minister in Iraq to improve bilateral relations

Feb 17, 2009, 10:39 GMT

Berlin - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived Tuesday in Iraq, marking a reawakening of ties between the two countries after German opposition to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The aim of the trip, which is the first visit to Baghdad by a German foreign minister in 22 years, is to strengthen German-Iraqi relations and discuss the current situation in Iraq and the region.

Steinmeier's visit started with talks to Iraqi Foreign Minister Jalal Talabani, who spoke of the 'revival of the dormant relations' between the two countries, adding that 'this visit is very important' to Iraq.

During his visit, Steinmeier is also due to meet Iraqi president Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Speaking ahead of his departure, Steinmeier said, 'In the last months, the Iraqi government has achieved important successes in stabilising the country politically.'

He added that his trip shows a German desire to 'support this new Iraq on the path to democratic consolidation and the peaceful balance between religions and ethnicities.'

Al-Maliki said he hoped the visit would 'improve the Iraqi-German relationship', in an interview with German daily Bild.

The Iraqi premier called for greater political and economic cooperation. 'I hope that German businesses accompany the foreign minister, to see for themselves the improved situation,' he said.

To date, German involvement in Iraq has been limited to small projects, such as training security forces.

The German foreign ministry has cited the change of government in Washington, Iraq's political advances and increased independence from the US, as well improvement in the country's security as reasons for the policy turnaround.

Steinmeier is being accompanied on his trip by representatives of German businesses and cultural institutions.