Undersecretary for Political Planning Meets Austrian Ambassador to Iraq

Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Planning Ambassador Dr. Hisham Al Alawi, received the Austrian Ambassador to Iraq Mr. Andrea Nasi, to discuss issues of mutual concern between the two countries.

During the meeting Undersecretary Al Alawi highlighted the historical relations between the two countries, and the Iraqi government’s willingness to strengthen and develop them, in addition he indicated the importance of the Air Transport Agreement between the two countries and its role in promoting trade and tourism cooperation between the two sides to greater prospects, emphasizing the need to follow up on the subject to ensure the completion of the ratification procedures by the House of Representatives as soon as possible, in order for the agreement to enter into force. 

Additionally, the Undersecretary affirmed the importance of opening the way for major Austrian companies to benefit from business and investment opportunities in Iraq, particularly those involved in the energy, security, medical and pharmaceutical industries, agriculture, water and other sectors.

The Undersecretary addressed some of the positive outcomes of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, including the British government’s updated travel advice for Iraq which is a clear indication of the political and security stability in Iraq. 

The two sides discussed the importance of joint coordination for holding meetings of the joint committee between the two countries. Undersecretary Al Alawi indicated that the committee’s work had been suspended since 2017, noting the importance of reconvening it, as well they reached a preliminary agreement to reconvene its meetings next year in Baghdad. 

At the end of the meeting, the Undersecretary addressed the importance of coordination between the two countries’ foreign service institutes to hold training courses and workshops for Iraqi diplomatic staff in Austria. Ambassador Nasi responded to the request and promised to follow up on the matter with the relevant authorities at the Austrian Foreign Ministry.