Qatar emir arrives in Baghdad for 'historic' Iraq visit

Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived at Baghdad on Thursday for a "historic" official visit after an invitation by the Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani.

Al-Sudani received the emir at Baghdad International Airport, before calling governmental palace located in the fortified Green Zone, Iraq News Agency (INA) reported.

"The visit is a positive and effective initiative to boost bilateral ties between Iraq and Qatar," the spokesperson of the Iraqi government, Basim Al-Awadi, was quoted as saying. 

During an interview with the Iraqi UTV channel, Al-Awdi said that both sides will discuss major strategic projects, including joint investments in energy, petrochemical, trade and the Development Road project, recently launched by the Iraqi government. 

Qatar has played a key role in helping with the rebuilding of Iraq after destruction caused by the years of conflict, including after the devastating recapture of territories once controlled by the Islamic State group by government forces.

Iraq, backed by an international coalition, declared victory over IS in late 2017 but at great cost.

Since then, Iraq's government has successfully improved the security situation in the country and looked at ways to diversify its economy for a post-oil and gas age.

In May, Iraq presented an ambitious plan to turn itself into a regional transportation hub by developing its road and rail infrastructure, linking Europe with the Middle East.

Once completed, the $17 billion project - known as the 'Route of Development' - would span the length of the country, stretching 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) from the northern border with Turkey to the Gulf in the south.