Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 23 / Trend S. Agayeva /
Iraq intends to fully develop its relations with Azerbaijan in the economy, energy and strengthen the juridical base of cooperation, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov today.
He said that the Iraqi government is ready to provide security guarantees for the Azerbaijani diplomats in Baghdad.
Azerbaijan plans to open an embassy in Iraq. The decision was made by the Parliament.
"During the talks with Azerbaijani counterpart, we agreed to conduct the ministerial consultations, sign the agreements on visa facilitation for people with diplomatic and service passports, on avoidance of double taxation and sign a memorandum on political consultations to develop the political relations," Zebari said.
He said that Iraq always supported Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and will continue to adhere to this position.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.