Iran, Iraq Sign MoU on Tourism Cooperation

During a meeting in Tehran on Monday, a ceremony was held at the Niavaran Cultural and Historical Complex of Iran for signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Tourism and Handicrafts of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Ancient Heritage of the Republic of Iraq.

The two ministers also announced efforts to remove barriers to land tourism with Iraq and the movement of people by private car throughout the year.

Welcoming the Iraqi minister, Zarghami said, "I am pleased that an academic with a scientific background has accepted this responsibility, and I am confident that cultural and tourism relations between Iran and Iraq will be established better than before."

Zarghami described the MoU as one facilitating cultural and tourism relations between the two countries, adding, "The civilizational relationship between Iran and Iraq has been irreplaceable since ancient times and after Islam, and the nations expect the two governments to remove obstacles.

He described promoting cultural heritage and tourism, which is a joint mission of the two sides, as having a high potential for integration and cohesion between the two nations.

Stressing the need to remove obstacles and facilitate relations between the two nations, Zarghami described pilgrimage tourism as the most important area of ​​cooperation between the two countries, adding, " The Arbaeen march is the largest human gathering and an irreplaceable phenomenon in the world, which we seek to register worldwide."

Expressing his satisfaction with the meeting, Hassan Nazem said that the trip to Iran was of special importance.

He referred to the consultations with the Iranian side in order to hold the Arbaeen march as glorious as possible.

Nazem also stressed the importance of religious tourism between Iran and Iraq and expressed hope that the outcome of this visit will lead to the strengthening of cultural, artistic and tourism relations between the two countries.

According to the memorandum, the two sides have announced their readiness to provide visa facilities for tourists from the two countries, as well as the exchange of laws, instructions and banking facilities in the field of tourism investment and investment in infrastructure projects, including hotel construction.

This MoU is valid for two years and will be automatically renewable, unless one of the parties expresses its intention to terminate it to the other party in a written message through diplomatic channels three months before the expiration date.