Maliki receives South African defense minister and discusses expanding security and military cooperation

Baghdad – Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, received today, Monday, a delegation from the Republic of South Africa led by Defense Minister Matsi Angelina Motshekga to discuss bilateral relations and prospects for expanding joint cooperation.

The media office of the head of the State of Law Coalition said in a statement that the delegation included the South African army commander and a number of officials, and that the meeting addressed ways to enhance cooperation in multiple fields.

According to the statement, al-Maliki stressed the importance of deepening relations between Iraq and South Africa and of building on previously achieved cooperation, with a special focus on the security and military spheres to help develop the capabilities of Iraq's security and military institutions.

In his remarks, al-Maliki also referred to the stature enjoyed by the late leader Nelson Mandela among Iraqis and to the significance of his struggle and humanitarian experience in confronting the apartheid regime and in entrenching the values of justice and equality.

For her part, the South African defense minister affirmed her country's readiness to strengthen bilateral relations and expand areas of cooperation, expressing her country's satisfaction with the role Iraq plays in the Middle East, according to the statement.

The statement concluded by noting that the meeting confirmed continued communication and coordination and the use of available opportunities to expand the partnership between the two countries in the security, military and technological fields in ways that serve their mutual interests.