Iraq wants to expand relations with EU – Maliki

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com:  Premier Nouri al-Maliki expressed Iraq‘s desire to expand relations and benefit of European expertise in all fields, particularly in education and reconstruction.   In a statement issued by his office following his meeting with the EU ambassador to Iraq , Maliki added that “Iraq wants European presence in the country through cooperation and partnership in reconstruction campaign taking place.  Maliki added that the “Iraqi government welcomes signing an agreement with the European Union.”  On the other hand, he expressed Iraq‘s readiness to supply Europe with energy, gas and oil during the coming years, because “it will have a high export capacity.”  The statement added that the ambassador expressed the EU‘s desire to support Iraq, because it has an effective role in the stability of the Middle East.  RM (TS)/SR 486