Bulgaria to Open Iraq Embassy in January

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov has pledged that his country will open an embassy in Iraq in January, said senior Iraqi parlamentarian Humam Hamoudi.

This has been agreed during an official visit to Sofia by the influential Shiite poltician, who was pivotal in drafting Iraq's constitution and now chairs the Iraq' parliament's Foreign Relations Committee.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Tuesday, Hamoudi stressed that Iraq and Bulgaria need to boost bilateral relations.

In particular, he argued that with an ongoing stabilization and increased oil revenue under way, Iraq is turning into an ever more attractive destination for Bulgarian investments.

"Iraq is very interested in Bulgaria's experience in the health sector, in agriculture and irrigation. And we have many Iraqi students who have graduated in Bulgaria," added Hamoudi.

He stressed that the security situation in his country is steadily improving, and that all acts of violence are isolated and not directed against foreign companies and individuals.

"Very much like Bulgaria 20 years ago, Iraq is a country in transition, and stability is only gradually achieved," commented Hamoudi.