ABU DHABI (Kyodo) Trade minister Akihiro Ohata made an unannounced visit to Baghdad Monday and called on the Iraqi government to resume negotiations with a group of Japanese firms to develop the Nasiriyah oil field, Japanese officials said.

A joint statement issued after Ohata met with senior Iraqi officials said the two countries agreed to reinforce cooperation, especially in the energy sector.

Ohata's visit was the first to Iraq by a Cabinet minister since the Democratic Party of Japan took power in September 2009. Iraq established a new government in late December.