The presidents of Armenia and Iraq (Vahagn Khachaturyan, Abdul Latif Rashid) met today on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York and discussed relations between their two countries, stressing the need to expand political dialog and cooperation.  

The two, according to Khachaturyan’s office, focused on economic cooperation, especially in trade, investments and other areas of mutual interest. In this context, they emphasized the need to introduce direct Yerevan-Baghdad flights as an important tool for promoting political, economic and tourism ties.

They said the recent Armenian-Iraqi business forum and was an important first step in this direction.

The two presidents also attached importance to the development of further cooperation between the two countries in the field of education.

Khachaturyan noted that the opening of a branch of the L'École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Gyumri could serve as a good opportunity for Iraqi students to study in Armenia and the basis for student exchange programs.

They also discussed regional developments.

Khachaturyan also attended the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit in New York that promotes partnering between governments, businesses, and nonprofits to address the world's most pressing needs.