Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday pledged to jointly combat extremism, terrorism and the narcotics trade during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the Baghdad Palace.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and welcomed the positive momentum created by recent high-level engagements, including the 9th session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission and parliamentary exchanges, the President’s Secretariat said.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong support for Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, and expressed commitment to the country’s stability, prosperity and democratic development.
He congratulated the Iraqi leadership and people on the successful parliamentary elections and extended best wishes for the smooth formation of a new government.
The president noted that current bilateral trade levels fall short of the true potential of Pakistan-Iraq relations. He highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, defence production, information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and other related sectors.