President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid noted on Tuesday the important role of Cyprus due to its geographical position and its status as an EU member state also stressing his country's desire for the further development of cooperation between Iraq and Cyprus.

The President of Iraq was received by House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, in the framework of his official visit to Cyprus.

According to a House press release President Rashid was accompanied by MP Hayfaa Hussein Hatem, Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussein, Iraq's Ambassador to Cyprus, based in Athens, Mouayed Saleh and high-ranking officials. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of Cyprus to Iraq, based in Amman, Michalis Ioannou.

Welcoming Rashid, the House Speaker noted the friendly relations between Cyprus and Iraq, which, as she pointed out, are based on mutual understanding, mutual respect and the common will of the two countries to work for the prevalence of conditions of peace, stability and prosperity in surrounding area.

The importance of his visit to Cyprus was underlined by both sides, as it provides a strong impetus to the relations and prospects of cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest and at various levels, including inter-parliamentary relations.

During the meeting, the press release says, the President of Iraq referred to the difficulties and challenges his country has faced over the years as a result of the wars and the fight against terrorism and the painstaking efforts made to bring stability and peace.

"President Rashid noted the important role of Cyprus, due to its geographical position and its status as a member state of the European Union and his country's desire for further development of bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, business, tourism -including the need for a direct air connection between the two countries -as well as in the field of culture," it adds.

On her part, Demetriou referred to current developments regarding the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and the imminent appointment of an envoy of the UN Secretary General to look into the existence of common ground, in order to resume the talks. Annita Demetriou underlined the adherence of the EU side to the goal of resuming the negotiations from the point where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana, in order to reach a solution, within the agreed framework and on the basis of the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security Council, highlighting the important opportunities for progress, prosperity and cooperation, which may arise from the resolution of the Cyprus issue, for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, as well as the entire region.

She criticised Turkey's ongoing provocations and illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus, as well as other countries. “We will never accept the Turkish claim for a ‘two-state’ solution, which would legitimise the achievements of the Turkish invasion and occupation” she said and underlined the urgent need for a decisive response from the international community against any violation of international law and to avoid the logic of double standards.

With regard to inter-parliamentary relations between Cyprus and Iraq, ways of developing dialogue and cooperation at various levels were discussed, following the imminent election of a new Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.

Upon his arrival at the House of Representatives, President of Iraq signed the guest book and visited the Plenary chamber of the House.