Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Meets Austrian Foreign Minister and signs Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein, held extensive talks with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Mr. Alexander Schallenberg, at the Austrian Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Vienna, on Sunday January 21, 2024, during the meeting, the two sides discussed topics of common interest, in addition reviewing the conditions and challenges facing the Middle East region, war on the Gaza Strip, as well agreeing on the necessity of finding ways to stop the war and deliver humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, and working together to avoid expanding the scope of war.

The talks touched on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, especially after the reopening of the Austrian embassy officially in Baghdad last year, in addition agreeing on resuming the work of the joint Iraqi-Austrian committee and to sign an agreement on air transportation services as soon as possible, in order to pave the way for the resumption of flights between the two countries.

Minister Hussein called on his Austrian counterpart to reconsider the travel advice to Iraq, and the necessity of easing them in line with the general conditions in Iraq, in addition to resuming consular work at the Austrian embassy in order to facilitate official and regular exchanges at all levels.

The talks discussed future cooperation between the Ministries of Interior of both countries in various fields, especially after the signing of the security memorandum of understanding between the two ministries last year.

At the end of the discussions, Minister Hussein signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the two countries, in order to enhance communication and cooperation in the areas of mutual support in international organizations, and bilateral issues of common interest.

Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria and international organizations in Vienna, Bakr Fattah Hussein, attended the meetings and the signing of the memorandum of understanding.