Lee to meet Iraqi PM next week

By Na Jeong-ju

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will arrive in Seoul next week for a summit on Thursday with President Lee Myung-bak on energy ties and building infrastructure in the Middle East nation, Cheong Wa Dae announced Thursday.

During his four-day visit, scheduled from April 27-30, the Iraqi leader will also take a tour of industrial complexes located in Korea’s southeastern region and on Jeju Island, according to the presidential office.

On top of the summit agenda will be strengthening bilateral cooperation to develop oil and other natural resources in Iraq, the world’s third-largest oil reserve holder.

“Besides energy, the meeting will focus on Korea’s transfer of IT technologies to Iraq and developing infrastructure to help rebuild the war-torn nation,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

The Iraqi prime minister will receive an honorary doctorate in political science from Korea University for his efforts to promote democracy in the Arab nation.

He will visit manufacturing plants of Hyundai Motor and STX Heavy Industries as well as a smart-grid complex on Jeju.

Observers say the summit will pave the way for more participation of Korean firms in construction and infrastructure projects in Iraq. He will be invited to meet with executives from Korea’s leading business groups to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation, officials said.