Ambassador of Republic of Iraq in Brussels Meets with Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO)

The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in Brussels, Mr. Sadiq Al-Rikabi, met with the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels on the occasion of the International Customs Day, to discuss ways to develop relations between the two sides and provide support for developing Iraqi customs capabilities.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Al-Rikabi congratulated on the occasion of the International Customs Day and expressed his aspiration for the development of relations between the two sides. The World Customs Organization’s measures regarding combating the Corona virus pandemic and the role of customs in facilitating the distribution of vaccines were discussed within the covax initiative, and the possibility of supporting Iraq in the field of combating the Corona virus pandemic and its economic effects. The ambassador reiterated the importance of international support for Iraqi customs, harnessing the expertise and capabilities that the organization possesses to develop the customs system in Iraq and build Iraqi capabilities, and support Iraq’s efforts to restore the antiquities that were confiscated as part of the anti-smuggling operations launched by the organization and its various member states.

On his part, the Secretary-General, Mr. Kunio Mikuria, provided a brief explanation of the organization’s procedures in relation to combating the Corona pandemic and coordination to combat counterfeit medicines and medical supplies, as well as facilitating the crossing of vaccines and medicines to the borders and their distribution, in addition to the mechanisms and procedures of the organization regarding combating the smuggling of antiquities and the challenges it faces.

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Al-Rikabi thanked the Secretary-General for the good hospitality and for the opportunity to exchange ideas and information on enhancing cooperation between the two sides.