Iraqi PM meets Austrian envoy in Baghdad
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday during a meeting with Dr. Andrea Nasi, the Head of the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad.
Prime Minister @Mohamedshia had a productive meeting with Austrian Ambassador Andrea Nasi, exploring diverse aspects of bilateral relations. Emphasis was placed on enhancing cooperation and partnership. PM Al-Sudani underscored the significance of appointing a Resident Ambassador… pic.twitter.com/xhZa5Jv6uA
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) December 19, 2023
“Emphasis was placed on enhancing cooperation and partnership,” the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office said.
Moreover, al-Sudani underscored the significance of appointing a Resident Ambassador for Austria in Iraq, “expressing optimism for great opportunities in exchange and collaboration between the two nations.”
Read More: Austria reopens its embassy in Iraq
Austria appointed Dr. Andrea Nasi as the Head of the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad in September.
Austria has played an important role in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and has provided financial, logistical and military support to the Iraqi government as part of the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Read More: Next step should be honorary consul in Erbil, says Austrian FM
The Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg told Kurdistan24 in September after meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani that the next step is opening a honorary consulate in Erbil.
Since 1991, Austria has not maintained an embassy in Baghdad. It has only maintained a trade mission there.
Austria shut down its Iraq embassy in 1991 at the height of the Gulf War, however, it has maintained a trade mission in the country since then. The Austrian Embassy in Amman has informally served as a gateway for Iraqis seeking consular services.
During a September 2021 meeting between Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna, Hussein requested the reopening of the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad.
Editing Dastan Muwaffaq