YEREVAN (Armenpress)–An Armenian delegation led by Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in Baghdad on February 25. An Iraqi radio station reported the Armenian delegation’s aim is to boost bilateral ties.
Foreign Minister Oskanian–who was accompanied by government–parliamentary and business figures–was greeted at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.
The Armenian minister said that his visit was aimed at "strengthening cooperation ties between the two friendly countries in all spheres," and it was meant to express Armenia’s stand in support of Iraq.
Vartan Oskanian took part in the official opening of the Armenian embassy in Iraq. Armenia and Iraq established formal diplomatic relations last year.
Last May–an Iraqi deputy foreign minister visited Yerevan to discuss the bilateral relationship–which Armenian officials say is primarily focused on economic cooperation. Last week–an Armenia-Iraq parliamentary group expressed concern over US air strikes on Iraq. The Armenian foreign ministry says its drive to deepen ties with Baghdad does not violate UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein.