Australian agriculture minister soon in Iraq- PM

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday said that the Australian minister of agriculture, Terry Redman, will soon visit Baghdad to discuss the agricultural situation in Iraq. “Australia has expressed its willingness to sign cooperation protocols with Iraq,” Maliki said in a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, during an official visit to Australia. Yesterday (March 11), Maliki arrived in Australia, leading a high-ranking delegation that included Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Trade Minister Abdelfalah al-Sudani, Industry Minister Fawzi al-Hariri and a number of officials. The premier left Baghdad on Tuesday (March 10) for Australia to discuss several issues of common concern, mainly cooperation in the agricultural field. SS (P)/SR 1