Talabani reiterates call to set up strong relations with South Korea

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Monday reiterated Iraq’s desire to set up strong relations with South Korea, a presidential statement said. “The president said during a banquet hosted by the South Korean oil and gas companies and businessmen in his honor that Iraq wants to set up strong relations with South Korea in energy, minerals, trade, defense and security fields,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency, pointing out that Iraq is ready to start reconstruction projects after the recent security improvement and political successes in the country. “South Korean businessmen welcomed President Talabani, asserting the importance of fostering cooperation between Iraq and South Korea,” the statement noted. President Talabani arrived in Seoul on Sunday (Feb. 22) starting an Asian tour which will take him also to Iran. He leads a high-level delegation, including Kurdish Prime Minister Negervan Barzani and a number of ministers and lawmakers.   SH (P)/SR 1