ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Asaad al-Shaibani, the foreign minister in the Syrian interim government, is set to make a visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad early next week, well-informed political sources told The New Region on Tuesday.

The sources said that Shaibani will meet with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani during the trip to Baghdad, and will discuss a variety of topics.

Coordination on securing the shared borders, reopening the border crossings, resuming flights, resuming economic and trade activities, and combating Islamic State (ISIS) remnants in Syria will reportedly be highlighted during the Syrian top diplomat’s meetings.

“The visit aims to affirm that the Syrian administration wants to continue Baghdad-Damascus relations at various levels,” according to the sources.

Since the start of their “Deterring Aggression” campaign in late November, which ultimately led to the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the now-rulers of Syria have repeatedly stressed that they do not pose a threat to Iraq and its security, and expressed their desire to develop strategic ties with Baghdad.

The Iraqi government was a staunch supporter of the Assad regime, but has slowly moved toward establishing relations with the new administration in Damascus.

After weeks of hesitation, an Iraqi delegation, headed by Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri, arrived in Damascus on December 26 to meet with the new government, including Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein held a phone call with Shaibani days after the Iraqi delegation’s trip, congratulating him on assuming his new position, and expressing Iraq’s interest in returning its diplomatic mission to Damascus.