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German FM begins first Iraq visit | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Germany's foreign minister has arrived in the Iraqi capital in the first such visit since Berlin opposed the US-led invasion in 2003. | Germany's foreign minister has arrived in the Iraqi capital in the first such visit since Berlin opposed the US-led invasion in 2003. |
Frank-Walter Steinmeier was received at Baghdad airport by his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari. | Frank-Walter Steinmeier was received at Baghdad airport by his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari. |
Correspondents say violence is at its lowest level since 2003, though security remains fragile and visits by foreign VIPs are shrouded in security. | Correspondents say violence is at its lowest level since 2003, though security remains fragile and visits by foreign VIPs are shrouded in security. |
French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Baghdad exactly a week ago. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Baghdad exactly a week ago. |
The trips signal a change of heart in some European capitals as they deepen ties with Iraq having opposed the former US administration's moves to topple Saddam Hussein, observers say. | The trips signal a change of heart in some European capitals as they deepen ties with Iraq having opposed the former US administration's moves to topple Saddam Hussein, observers say. |
US President Barack Obama says he plans to withdraw US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. | US President Barack Obama says he plans to withdraw US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. |
"We hope that this will be a new beginning for broader relations in different fields," said Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Labeed Abbawi, who was also in the reception committee. | "We hope that this will be a new beginning for broader relations in different fields," said Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Labeed Abbawi, who was also in the reception committee. |
Mr Steinmeier is due to hold meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki and President Jalal Talabani. | Mr Steinmeier is due to hold meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki and President Jalal Talabani. |
Stabilisation | |
The last time a German foreign minister visited Iraq was in 1987, three years before UN sanctions imposed on Saddam Hussein's government over its invasion of Kuwait. | The last time a German foreign minister visited Iraq was in 1987, three years before UN sanctions imposed on Saddam Hussein's government over its invasion of Kuwait. |
Economy Minister Michael Glos visited Iraq last July since when the two governments signed a bilateral investment agreement. | Economy Minister Michael Glos visited Iraq last July since when the two governments signed a bilateral investment agreement. |
"The Iraqi government has achieved important successes in stabilising the country in recent months," Mr Steinmeier told reporters before leaving for Iraq. | |
"My visit shows that we want to support the new Iraq as it moves towards consolidating democracy. Germany wants to assist Iraq in reconstruction," he added. | |
Economy ministry officials in Berlin said Germany would open an economic information offices in Baghdad and Irbil, in the mainly Kurdish north, to help German firms do business in Iraq. | |
Gemany is Europe's largest economy and Iraq has some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world. | Gemany is Europe's largest economy and Iraq has some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world. |
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