Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The first deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Adnan al-Dulaimi, and the Austrian ambassador to Iraq, Axel Wech, discussed on Tuesday the launch of direct flights between Baghdad and Vienna.
During their meeting in Baghdad, the two sides discussed strategies to develop bilateral relations and activate the meetings of the Iraqi-Austrian Joint Committee within the framework of the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, according to a statement cited by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Both sides emphasized the need to establish a direct air link between Baghdad and Vienna to improve collaboration in a variety of sectors, notably the economy.
Iraqi and Austrian officials have held high-level discussions, including most recently during the Munich Security Conference, to push for the formal resumption of direct passenger flights between Baghdad and Vienna.
During a meeting with Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner in February, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein urged Austria to resume direct flights between Baghdad and Vienna.
The Iraqi foreign minister stated that the return of direct flights between Baghdad and Vienna, given the considerable improvement in security in Iraq, will stimulate travel and economic and tourism interchange between the two countries.
The negotiations built on a prior agreement between Iraqi and Austrian aviation officials to help pave the way for European airlines.
Both parties underline that direct flights will boost bilateral trade, reduce travel restrictions, promote tourism, and make mobility easier for foreign investors.