ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Thursday arrived in Baghdad, meeting with the Kurdish and Iraqi top officials. Several deals were signed between Doha and Baghdad during the trip. The Emir of Qatar was warmly welcomed by Sudani. They also held a press conference. “A joint declaration of intent was signed between the governments of Iraq and Qatar, for comprehensive cooperation in the political, economic, energy and investment fields. Additionally, two agreements in the fields of air and maritime transport, and a memorandum of understanding regarding the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports were signed,” read a statement from Sudani’s office. The Emir of Qatar later met with Sudani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi. “Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Iraq underscores significant progress in ties between our nations. We look forward to building on improved relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with Qatar,” said President Barzani in a tweet. Qatar reopened its Baghdad embassy in 2015 for the first time since the Gulf War (1990-91) when several regional and world powers suspended diplomatic relations over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. It is also expected to open a consulate in Erbil. Doha has maintained and improved its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, even discussing a free trade agreement with Baghdad in recent years.
