Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein received a phone call on Friday from Canada's new Foreign Minister Anita Anand. During the call, the Ottawa government confirmed its full support for Baghdad's policy of keeping weapons solely in the hands of the state.
According to a statement from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, the call was held to address bilateral relations between the two countries and explore ways to expand strategic cooperation.
Full support from Canada
Anand expressed her government's desire to improve relations and expand bilateral coordination in various fields. The Canadian minister congratulated Hussein on officially assuming the post of foreign minister after receiving a vote of confidence from parliament, and also welcomed the appointment of a new ambassador to Iraq.
The Canadian Foreign Minister stressed that her government offers full and official support for the Iraqi administration's policies and decisions aimed at ensuring weapons remain exclusively under state control. Anand also reiterated Ottawa's commitment to continued cooperation and support in this area.
Football diplomacy and official invitation
Hussein thanked Ottawa for the strong assistance Canada has provided to Iraq at various stages in the past. The Canadian minister, for her part, expressed her country's pleasure at hosting an official match featuring the Iraqi national football team on Canadian soil, saying this step would undoubtedly strengthen the close and friendly bond between the two peoples.
At the end of the call, Hussein invited Anand to make an official visit to Iraq to further strengthen political and diplomatic dialogue between the two countries.
