On April 20, 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev visited the Republic of Iraq.

As part of the visit, the second round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Iraq was held in Baghdad. The political consultations were chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev on the Azerbaijani side and by Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Relations Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Bahr Al-Uloom on the Iraqi side.

During the consultations, a broad exchange of views took place on the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade, energy, humanitarian and parliamentary spheres. Opportunities for expanding mutual cooperation within the multilateral framework were discussed, particularly within international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement. Mutual cooperation within the framework of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was also addressed.

The Iraqi side was briefed on the current post-conflict situation and the peace process, including the reconstruction and construction work carried out in the liberated territories, the clearance of mines from our lands and the return of our citizens to their original lands.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

As part of the visit, Deputy Minister Yalcin Rafiyev met with the Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq and Co-Chair of the Joint Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Hiyam Al-Yasiri. During the meeting the contribution of the commission to developing cooperation between the two countries in the economic, trade and humanitarian fields was emphasized and confidence was expressed that the next meeting of the commission, scheduled to be held in Baku in the near future will give impetus to bilateral relations.

During the meeting between Deputy Minister Yalcin Rafiyev and the Deputy Minister of Environment of the Republic of Iraq, Jassim Abdul Aziz Hammadi, Azerbaijan's successful presidency of COP29 and areas of cooperation in the field of climate change were discussed.

Yalcin Rafiyev, who visited the Rewaq Baghdad Public Policy Center for Research and Studies in Iraq, met with the center's director, Abbas Al-Anbouri. At the round table, which was attended by the Center's leaders and researchers, Yalcin Rafiev provided information on our country's foreign policy, the presidency of the COP29 climate conference, Azerbaijan's position on regional and international developments and prospects for cooperation with Iraq and answered numerous questions from the participants. He also provided detailed information to the participants on the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the reconstruction work being carried out in the liberated territories.