In a long-awaited strategic move, Malaysia has decided to reopen its embassy in Iraq, which has been closed since 2003.
Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, welcomed Malaysia’s announcement to reopen its embassy in Iraq, according to what was reported by the news agency (WAA). These welcomes come in the wake of a meeting that brought Hussein together with the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Zambri Bin Abdul Qader, on the sidelines of the ministerial meetings of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku.
During his meeting with the Malaysian minister, Hussein expressed the Iraqi government’s welcome to the decision to reopen the Malaysian embassy in Iraq. The meeting also touched on various ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Malaysian embassy in Baghdad was closed in March 2003, during a period of tension in the country due to the American invasion of Iraq. The ensuing years have complicated matters for many Malaysian investors and businessmen who were interested in consolidating trade ties between the two countries.
However, the decision to reopen the Malaysian embassy in Iraq is considered an important step towards facilitating and developing many ties and relations between Iraq and Malaysia, whether in trade, investment, education, culture, or tourism.
During the period when the Malaysian embassy in Iraq was closed, the Malaysian embassy in neighboring Jordan oversaw Malaysia’s interests in Iraq. Malaysia is one of the main countries to which Iraqi oil is exported, while Iraq mainly imports medical products, palm oil, and electronic products from Malaysia.
It is worth mentioning that Iraq had opened its embassy in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in the mid-seventies, reflecting the long-term relations between the two countries.