Meeting of the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Bulgaria with the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. Iliana Yotova

Ambassador Lina Omar met with the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. Iliana Yotova. During the meeting the possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas were discussed. The position of the Republic of Bulgaria on the removal of the Republic of Iraq from the list of countries at high risk of money laundering and terrorist financing was assessed and hope for the continuation of Bulgarian support for the removal of the name of Iraq from it. Ambassador Lina Omar said that Iraq hopes for high-level bilateral visits, as well as the finalization of a number of memorandoms between the two countries in various fields. Hope was expressed for the restoration of the Bulgarian-Iraqi joint committee for cooperation, which held its last meeting in 2013 in Sofia.

The Ambassador expressed the desire of the Iraqi side for the participation of Bulgarian companies in the process of reconstruction of the liberated areas from the terrorist organization “ISIL” in Iraq, as well as the interest of entrepreneurs and investors from Iraq to invest in Bulgaria. In this regard, HE Ms. Lina Omar also pointed out the desire of Iraqi businesswomen to contact Bulgarian businesswomen. The possibilities for opening a direct flight between Baghdad and Sofia and strengthening the joint cooperation between the two countries were discussed at the meeting. Emphasis was placed on the great interest of Iraqi students to study in Bulgaria, especially in the field of medicine, and the desire to use Bulgarian medical skills in Iraq.

 The vice president said more publicity was needed for business co-operation with Iraq.

For her part, Vice President Iliana Yotova stressed the need for greater publicity for business cooperation opportunities with Iraq, which has declined significantly in recent years. In conclusion, the Vice President welcomed the new Iraqi Ambassador to the Informal Club of Ambassadors, which organizes regular meetings on various topics.

 During the meeting HE Lina Omar also expressed the desire of the Republic of Iraq to receive the support of the Republic of Bulgaria for the country’s candidacy for the post of Deputy Member of the Board of Directors of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the period 2021-2024.