24 November 2017, 14:30
The Ukrainian visit to Iraq is coming to an end. During November 21-24 the Ukrainian parliamentarians held a range of meetings with the top brass of the country as per the schedule.
The parties had ample debates over the future comprehensive development of mutual cooperation in trade, economy, culture, and restoration of inter-parliamentary links between Ukraine and the Republic of Iraq. The meeting was also attended by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Iraq Viktor Nedopas.
During the debates at the Council of Representatives of Iraq, there was pointed out that the bilateral diplomatic history could not be called long-continued. Just in 2001, the Ukrainian Embassy started to function in Iraq, whereas the Iraqi Embassy did in 2007. Ten years later, there was launched the Honorary Consulate Office of Ukraine in the Republic of Iraq.
Until 2012, the political dialogue between Ukraine and Iraq has been chiefly conducted within annual United Nations sessions or other international developments. Since then the relations between the countries could have been regarded as sustained and holistic ties.
The military issue was also talked over as the problem is still pressing for the both countries.
The Ukrainian delegation marked the visit to be of great importance. The Iraqi side voiced its willingness to pay a visit to Ukraine in return. All doors are now open for further mutual cooperation.
Worthy of note
Recognition of Ukraine: January 1, 1992.
Establishment of diplomatic relations: December 16, 1992.
Political relations:
High-level dialogue: November 20-22, 2012 – official visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to Iraq.
Dialogue between Ministries of Foreign Affairs: May 28, 2012, Baghdad – political consultations between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.
Inter-parliamentary cooperation: March 15-18, 2012 – an official visit of the delegation of the Committee on Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Council of Representatives (Parliament) of the Republic of Iraq to Ukraine.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the inter-parliamentary cooperation with the Republic of Iraq was established on 27 February 2015 and since April 2015 the group on the inter-parliamentary cooperation with Ukraine of the Iraqi Parliament was organized.
Bilateral high-level state bodies:
Ukrainian-Iraqi Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Ukrainian Cochairman - Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine. The last meeting took place in Bagdad at 2d of December 2012.
Trade and economic cooperation:
In the January–September of 2016 the turn-over between Ukraine and Iraq was some USD 285 million that equals 72% to the same period figure for 2015.
Bilateral Agreements:
The legal framework of Ukrainian-Iraqi relations consists of eleven bilateral documents. Key documents are: Agreement on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; Agreement on Cultural Cooperation. 16 draft documents are under the consideration.
Diplomatic Missions:
Embassy of Ukraine in Iraq (since 2001).
Embassy of Iraq in Ukraine (since 2009).