Iraq to have open relations with France in armament, oil- PM

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday said that Iraq will establish open relations with France in the fields of armament, oil, in addition to other sectors. The remark came during his reception of the French minister of state for foreign trade affairs, Anne Marie Idrac, in his Baghdad-based office, according to a statement released by Maliki’s office and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Maliki stressed his government’s keenness to strengthen its relations with France in all fields, particularly after French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Iraq, which has highlighted the two countries’ willingness to develop mutual relations, the statement added.   SS (P)/SR 1