Iraq, Switzerland Discuss Ways to Develop Bilateral Relations

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, Fuad Hussein, discussed with Swiss Minister of Justice and Police, Beat Jans, on Friday, the prospects of enhancing bilateral cooperation and ways to develop relations between the two countries.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Swiss Minister of Justice and Police, Beat Jans, during his official visit to the Swiss city of Bern," noting that "the meeting discussed the prospects of enhancing bilateral cooperation and ways to develop relations between the two countries."

The Iraqi Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude for the Swiss Confederation's positions regarding the recovery of smuggled Iraqi artifacts.

The statement added that on the sidelines of the meeting, a Declaration of Intent was signed between Iraq and Switzerland regarding the voluntary return of Iraqi citizens whose residence requests have been rejected. Hussein emphasized the necessity of resolving the issue of smuggled funds from Iraq that are held by Swiss authorities and returning them to the Iraqi government.