Canada opens diplomatic mission in Baghdad
On a brief visit to the Iraqi capital, Baird met with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his political rival Osama al-Nujaifi, the parliament speaker, as well as inaugurated the mission, an office of the Canadian embassy inAmmanthat will be located on the compound of the British embassy inBaghdad.
"Ten years after the Iraqi intervention,Iraqis one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, despite deep and lingering sectarian tensions," Baird said in a statement.
"Canada's trade and investment interests inIraqhave strong potential, including in the country's north, where we will expand our dialogue with leaders in Arbil.
"To pursue our interests, we know thatCanadaneeds to be on the ground inBaghdad."
Ottawa, which did not support the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, closed its embassy in the Iraqi capital in January 1991.
The invasion had sought to establish a stable, democratic ally in the heart of theMiddle East, but instead proved divisive internationally and unleashed brutal sectarian bloodshed and endless political disputes.
TheBaghdadoffice's charge d'affaires will be Stephanie Duhaime.
While violence inIraqremains high by international standards, it is markedly lower than its peak in 2006 and 2007, andBaghdadhas sought in recent years to re-emerge on the world stage and has pushed for several countries to re-establish diplomatic missions in the country.
