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Azerbaijan-Iraq intergovernmental commission holds first meeting in Baku - UPDATED 2 - PHOTO

Azerbaijan-Iraq intergovernmental commission holds first meeting in Baku - <span style="color: red;">UPDATED 2 - <span style="color: red;">PHOTO

04 December 2013 08:29 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Communications and Information Technologies, co-chair of the commission Ali Abbasov said very good relations have been established between Azerbaijan and Iraq.

According to him, Iraq has always supported Azerbaijan in the international organizations.

“The cooperation between Iraq and Azerbaijan have great prospects. Today’s discussions will play an important role in the future development,” he said.

Minister of Communications and Information Technologies gave detailed information about Azerbaijan’s economy said Azerbaijan’s economy developed basing on major energy resources.

“The second stage of development has started in Azerbaijan. We are developing non-oil sector by reducing oil dependence,” he said.

Minister noted that a broad strategy has been worked out for 2020, it has been set as a target to double GDP at the cost of non-oil sector.

Iraqi co-chair of the commission, Minister of Communications and Provinces Torhan Mudher Hassan al-Mufti said Iraq assesses this meeting as a great opportunity.

“The relations between Azerbaijan and Iraq have been developing for more than 40 years. There are splendid relations between the two countries. The agreements cover economic, scientific and other spheres,” he said.

It was said that about 500 tourists came from Iraq to Azerbaijan in the first half of the year. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Sevda Mammadaliyeva said the number of tourists is expected to be more than 1000 within 2013.

“Last year it was 925. The number of tourists is increasing. Our countries are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding tourism and historical works,” she said.

The ministry official said it is planned to hold trainings in the field of art for the relevant bodies of Iraq, to organize visits with the view of exchanging experience in the field of tourism and culture.

“This will enhance the relations in the sphere of culture and tourism,” she said.

Final protocol was signed at the end of the meeting. The document was signed by the co-chairs of the commission Ali Abbasov and Torhan Mudher Hassan al-Mufti.

The ministers said the sides discussed issues of mutual interest at the meeting, reached an agreement to finalize the talks underway on a number of spheres.

The sides reached an agreement on joint cooperation in the areas of education, scientific studies, ICT, finance, tax, customs, agriculture, culture, tourism, environment, youth and sports.

The next meeting of Azerbaijan-Iraq intergovernmental commission will be held in Iraq next year.