8 July 2018 - 16:06

Foreign consulate opening needs Iraqi foreign ministry approval: spokesman

<p style="text-align: left;">The Spokesman of the Iraqi prime minister press office stated that the opening of all foreign consulates in Iraq needs to be allowed by the central government in Baghdad.

Saad al-Hadithi told al-Ma’alomeh news agency that the establishment and opening of all foreign states needs Baghdad’s approval, reiterating that consulates are opened to protect foreign states’ interests and are to boost bilateral political, economic and cultural ties in all countries

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani participated on Friday, alongside with US Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Silliman, and US Consul General, Ken Gross, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new US Consulate General in Erbil government, BasNews reported.

"The new compound will help build upon strong relations with the US and highlights our common vision and shared values," Barzani tweeted.

"This project sends a strong message to the world, that the US wants to stay in Iraq, Kurdistan, and wishes to develop relations further,” Kurdistan 24 quoted the Kurdish premier. "We consider this a critical project, which we hope will be the groundwork for future ventures."

The new US compound will overlook the main road between Erbil and Pirmam on a 200,000 square-meter plot which will cost $600 million, the news agency added.

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