Finland reopens Iraqi embassy after nearly 30 years

Finland is reopening its embassy in Iraq and sending an ambassador to Baghdad after a hiatus of nearly 30 years to re-establish bilateral ties, help with the country’s reconstruction, and boost trade.

Repatriating thousands of Iraqis who are staying illegally in Finland after the rejection of their asylum applications remains a thorny issue between the countries. Some 20,000 Iraqi migrants arrived in Finland in 2015.

Finnish Ambassador Vesa Hakkinen told AP on Thursday, a day before taking up his new post, that the Nordic country and EU member had ceased its diplomatic presence in Iraq in the wake of the Gulf War in January 1991.

The diplomatic mission will have an initial staff of four and be located in a Baghdad building that also houses the Swedish Embassy.