Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Following two-day negotiations the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Anton Ginev and the Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Iraq Bang River agreed on the text of the new Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Iraq, today at the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications. The final signing of the new agreement will be possible after the completion of the necessary procedures for each of the parties.

At present, the bilateral relations in the field of air transport between Bulgaria and Iraq have been regulated by the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Iraq for Air Transport of 15 November 1966. This Agreement does not meet the current requirements for liberal access to aviation markets and does not correspond to European air legislation, thus making it necessary for a new agreement to be signed.

The new Agreement will favour the operation of new carriers, increase the capacity of existing regular services and facilitate the opening of new scheduled services, increase the revenue from the transportation of passengers and goods, enhance the economic relations and trade, as well as attract revenues from tourism.

The possibilities for the designated airlines of both parties "BH Air" and "Iraq Airways" to organize the operation of a direct air line Sofia – Baghdad, operating seven days a week, without limitation to the type of aircraft, were discussed.

As a result of the negotiations a Memorandum of Understanding between the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Iraq for the provision of air navigation services was signed.