Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein received today, Sunday, in Baghdad, musician Naseer Shamma, UNESCO Ambassador for Peace. According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, the meeting witnessed a discussion on the importance of artistic culture and the close relationship between diplomacy and the arts, and the role of music in highlighting the cultures of different peoples. The Minister stressed that art is an important humanitarian message for peace and works as a soft power for communication and exchange of cultures and ideas, which contributes greatly to creating intellectual and cultural diversity between countries. The Minister also listened to a number of ideas and proposals presented by musician Naseer Shamma, which included plans to activate cultural and literary events within diplomatic frameworks, and activate the role of cultural diplomacy in a way that reflects the ancient civilizations and arts of Iraq, and highlights the role of artistic elites and intellectu al competencies on the international scene. For his part, the Minister praised the future plans presented by musician Naseer Shamma, commending his artistic creativity that reflects a bright image of Iraq in Arab and international artistic forums, stressing the importance of making efforts to invest Iraqi art in all its forms in serving national issues. Source: National Iraqi News Agency