UK promotes relations with Iraq

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-27-2009 14:39

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has met his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad. He says the time has come for the two countries to promote their comprehensive cooperation.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, left, speaks  during a joint press conference with his Iraqi  counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday,  Feb. 26 2009.(AP Photo/Ali Abbas, Pool)

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, "Our relationship becomes one defined not just by defence and security, but also by politics, by economics, by culture and by education.

In other words our relationship will be a comprehensive relationship between two sovereign states who are real partners and want to work together. My visit today and tomorrow is intended to symbolise that shift."

The two countries have just signed a 400-million-US- dollar deal. It's the first such joint venture between a British company and the Iraqi ministry for oil drilling. Miliband says a large number of British companies are interested in doing business in Iraq across a wide range of sectors. He promised that Britain would be a major investor in Iraq.