Syrian premier visits Iraq in bid to improve bilateral ties

Sat, 15 Jan 2011

Baghdad - Syrian Prime Minister Naji Otri met with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on Saturday in an attempt to boost relations, which had become strained after Baghdad accused Damascus of supporting Iraqi insurgents.

Otri discussed with Nuri al-Maliki ways of improving cooperation in economy, trade, oil, transport and electricity as well as investments and economic partnership.

During the visit, an agreement was reached to grant Iraqis entry visas into Syria on the border points and airports between both countries, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.

Otri led a governmental delegation, that included the ministers of finance, foreign affairs, petroleum and mineral resources.

Otari congratulated al-Maliki on forming his new government, Syria's official news agency reported.

An August 2009 blast in Baghdad that left more than 100 dead led to a diplomatic spat between Iraq and Syria, as Baghdad blamed the attacks on loyalists to Saddam Hussein's Baath party in Syria.

The two governments recalled their respective ambassadors after Damascus refused to hand over two suspects.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/362498,bid-improve-bilateral-ties.html.