Syria and Iraq Sign Bilateral Tourism Cooperation Program

Minister of Tourism Mohammed Rami Martini signed with the Iraqi minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani in Baghdad today a program of tourism cooperation between the two countries.

“The program comes within the framework of the keenness of the two brotherly countries to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood ties and belief in the importance of the positive and effective role played by the activation and development of cooperation in increasing the tourism exchange between them,” Martini said in a statement to SANA correspondent in Baghdad.

Martini explained that the program is based on the tourism cooperation agreement signed in Damascus in 1979 and within the framework of the laws and regulations in force in both countries.

For his part, Minister Al-Badrani stressed that the historical, social, cultural and geographical commonalities constitute a solid ground for the growth and development of cooperation relations at all levels for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples.

Al-Badrani highlighted Syria’s positions towards the Iraqi people, stressing his country’s desire to benefit from the Syrian experience in the field of Tourism and antiquities.

The signed program aims to increase the tourist exchange and encourage the exchange of visitors and tourist groups between both countries, as well as holding workshops between the concerned authorities of both parties to develop programs for visitors and tourist groups, including cultural tourism, business tourism and conferences.

The program also includes work to improve the quality of tourist services provided to visitors at their places of residence and at border crossings and address any obstacles and problems facing them.

Reviewing the experiences of the concerned authorities in the field of restoration and rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites and archaeological remains that have been damaged by terrorism, exchanging experiences in the field of facilities management and tourist routes in the vicinity of cultural heritage sites and exchanging investment opportunities are also among the important objectives of this program.

The program approved the formation of a joint technical committee comprising representatives of both parties, whose tasks will be to follow up the implementation of this program, exchange information and use all available expertise and capabilities on issues of benefit and interest and submit recommendations and proposals for adoption in order to increase Tourism Exchange and promote tourist destinations in the two countries, in addition to reviewing or proposing to amend this program if necessary.

Amal Farhat