Estonia Establishes Diplomatic Relations With Iraq

TALLINN, Aug 5 (AFP) - Estonia on Thursday established diplomatic relations with Iraq, although the Baltic country said it does not intend opening an embassy there.
"Now it's important to do everything we can to give the new Iraqi government wide international support," Prime Minister Juhan Parts told a news conference.
Iraq recognized Estonia's independence from the former Soviet Union in 1992, but until Thursday the two countries did not have diplomatic ties.
Estonia has 45 soldiers serving with US-led forces in Iraq and Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland told journalists said a ministerial visit to the country was now possible.
"The establishment of diplomatic relations is the first step towards planning a visit," Ojuland said, according to the Baltic News Agency (BNS).
BNS quoted Ojuland as saying Estonia did not plan to open an embassy in Iraq, but would appoint an ambassador who would reside elsewhere.
Regarding Afghanistan, Ojuland said that establishing diplomatic relations was not on the agenda at present, but may be considered after the October elections there.