Iraqi Transport Minister visits the UK

His Excellency the Iraqi Minister of Transport, Mr Abdullah Luaibi visited the United Kingdom in an official visit to hold a number of important bilateral meetings with the British government.

H.E. Ambassador Salih Al-Tamimi attended the meeting between Minister Abdullah and the British Minister of Aviation Paul Maynard where discussion over the issue of operating direct flights between Baghdad and London through the Iraqi Airways took place. Minister Abdullah stressed Iraq’s keenness to strengthen bridges of cooperation between the two countries; in addition he highlighted that establishing regular direct return flights between Baghdad and London will help lifting the European restrictions on the Iraqi flag carrier and will provide platform for mutual benefits. The Minister also underlined the importance of the UK experience to upgrade some of major Iraq transport infrastructures.

Minister Paul stressed the UK keenness to strengthen the Mutual relations between Iraq the UK on various domains especially in transport sector. The Minister reaffirmed that he will personally consider the issue of establishing a direct flights between the two countries in line with Iraq’s efforts to address all the requirements for the case. He also welcomed the proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding between the transport ministries from both countries.

The Minister hold a number of other important meetings, including a meeting with the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade Mr. Graham Stewart, the Chief Executive of UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency Mr. Louis Taylor, the British Civil Aviation Authority, a number of representatives from transport companies in addition the Minister visited the headquarters of the British Rolls Rise Center, where the both parties agreed to cooperate and exchange experiences to improve aviation sector in Iraq.

In the End the Minister visited the Embassy of Iraq in London and met with Ambassador Saleh Al-Tamimi as well as the Embassy staff to give overview of the issues were discussed during his visit to the UK. In return H.E. Ambassador Salih affirmed the Embassy readiness to facilitate all the issues related to developing transport sector in Iraq and the continuity of strengthening the mutual relations between Iraq and the British government.

Iraqi Embassy in London