Irbil, Iraq
06 July 2008
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is in the United Arab Emirates'capital of Abu Dhabi for an official two-day visit. VOA's SuzannePresto reports on the growing ties from Iraqi Kurdistan's city of Irbil.
Mr. Maliki and his delegation were greeted with fanfare and the Iraqi national anthem when they landed in Abu Dhabi.
Whenthe delegation arrived at President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AlNahyan's palace, the officials were greeted with an announcement thatalso must have been music to their ears.
The Emirates' officialnews agency quotes Sheikh Khalifa as saying the UAE has canceled about $4 billion in debt owed by Iraq. Once interest is factoredin, Emirati officials say that figure reaches about $7 billion.
The official news agency also quotes the president assaying he made the gesture in an effort to help Iraq carry outreconstruction projects.
In another development, diplomaticsources say that the UAE has named its envoy to India, Abdullah Ibrahimal Shehhi, as the new ambassador to Iraq. The decision to open anembassy in Baghdad and appoint an ambassador was announced last month.
Beforevisiting the president's palace, Mr. Maliki said Arab nations mustcooperate to address political, security and economic issues in theregion.
The prime minister said his visit to the Emiratesshows Iraq is serious about Arabian unity, as well as a specific desireto deepen its bond with the UAE.
In recent months, the United States has increasingly pressed Arab nations to strengthen ties with Iraq's government.
Iraqand the Emirates have taken steps to improve diplomatic relations. Onemonth ago, the Emirati foreign minister, Abdallah bin Zayidal-Nuhayyan, visited Baghdad. His trip to Iraq was the first by anEmirati top diplomat since the end of Saddam Hussein's reign in 2003.
Iraqigovernment spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said it is clear that the UAE ismaking a strategic effort to build its relationship with Iraq.
He said he believes this stronger relationship will be beneficial for both sides.
Dabbaghadded that Iraq is looking to the UAE for assistance in projects toprovide services to Iraqis, and he emphasized that his nation is alsolooking forward to deepening ties with other Arabian countries.