Baghdad - Iraqi MP Osama al-Najifi described German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit to Iraq as "historic and significant"

Speaking to Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, al-Najifi said that both Iraq and Germany have always enjoyed good relations.

Al-Najifi pointed out Germany's "moderate stances towards Iraq" as the reason behind the special relations.

"Germany refused to take part in the US-led invasion on Iraq because its historic relations with Baghdad is based on mutual respect," al-Najifi said.

Al-Najifi, who previously had been minister of industry in the former government of Ibrahim al-Jaafari in 2006, said that the Iraqi people hold great respect to Germany as many German companies had been pioneers in carrying out giant projects in the country.

Al-Najifi also referred to the improvement of security situation as encouraging a boost in industrial development.

"Iraq, more than any other time, needs to open to the world's leading industrial countries especially after the improvement in the security situation in the country," al-Najifi said. (dpa)