Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein have held talks in Damascus aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across political, security, economic and trade fields.
According to Iraq’s state news agency INA, discussions on Monday focused on reviewing “bilateral relations and expanding prospects for joint cooperation between the two countries.”
Syrian state media SANA said the talks at Tishreen Palace covered ways to enhance cooperation in all fields.
Hussein’s visit on Monday, made at the invitation of al Shaibani, is the first by an Iraqi foreign minister to Damascus since the political transition in Syria following the removal of long-time dictator Bashar al Assad in late 2024.
The trip signals a gradual shift in Iraq’s approach as it moves from initial caution toward deeper engagement with Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed al Sharaa.
An Iraqi diplomatic source told AFP that Hussein is also expected to meet President Sharaa.
The visit seeks to “deepen joint cooperation in various political, security, economic and trade fields” and address regional and international developments, according to a statement from Hussein’s office.
His meetings will also explore “ways of strengthening coordination and consultation” on shared challenges, it added.
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