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Serbia, Iraq liberalize visas, establish political communication

Xinhua, January 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

Serbia and Iraq have agreed to cancel visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports of their respective countries, as well as to establish political communication on issues of mutual interest, the Serbian foreign ministry stated Thursday in a press release.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Serbian foreign minister Ivica Dacic said the two governments had signed an agreement on mutual cancelation of visas for bearers of diplomatic and service passports, as well as a memorandum on the establishment of political dialogue on issues of mutual interest.

According to the press release, this was the first visit of an Iraqi foreign minister to Serbia.

Dacic also said that Serbia was monitoring the conflict situation in Iraq "with new optimism" and supported the fight against Islamic State.

"Iraq is an important economic and political partner of Serbia," he said, adding that Serbia highly valued the development of good relations with Iraq.

Dacic explained that the newly signed memorandum meant that Serbia and Iraq could now consult each other on political, economic, and security issues in the future, while the two governments would work to achieve complete visa liberalization for all citizens.

"Serbia and Iraq have an interest to develop mutual relations that should be comprehensive -- from the economy and opening possibilities for investments, military, and the defense industry, to the education system," he pointed out.

Dacic concluded that the two countries should help each other just like in times of former Yugoslavia, as well as to advance their relations in all areas.

"We have great perspective for the development of relations: a similar history and mutual interests," Dacic concluded.

Al-Jaafari thanked Serbia for its support in the fight against terrorism and informed that the Iraqi army had liberated 428 villages near Mosul in Northern Iraq on Wednesday.

He concluded by saying that Iraq was inviting the world to help the Middle Eastern country build its infrastructure, and called for all Iraqis that had fled to return to their homeland. Endit