INA–Baghdad
Minister of Transportation (MOT) Wahab al-Hassani and EU Ambassador Clemens Simetner agreed on Tuesday to hold a forthcoming meeting to determine the requirements for lifting the ban on Iraqi Airways.
The MOT said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "Minister of Transport Wahab al-Hassani received today EU Ambassador Clemens Simetner, accompanied by the Director of Cooperation and Projects, Wim Rimba, to discuss strengthening cooperation and joint coordination."
"The meeting focused on the most important arrangements necessary for lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways and the importance of this issue in the coming period," the statement added.
Both sides agreed to hold a meeting between the Iraqi and European sides at the specialist level to work on determining the requirements for lifting the European ban imposed on Iraqi Airways and preparing the necessary arrangements.
The Transportation Minister emphasized the importance of effective work regarding the ban, as expediting its lifting strengthens the integration with joint cooperation projects between Iraq and the European Union, most notably the strategic development route that will connect trade and other activities from the East to Europe via Iraq.
The EU ambassador expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and the keen interest shown by the Minister of Transportation in successfully lifting the ban on Iraqi Airways, praising "the Ministry's aspirations to strengthen the cooperative relationship between Iraq and the EU countries and the EU countries' interest in building sustainable cooperation."