Greece – Iraq Seek to Revive Cooperation Agreement in Tourism

Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, Mouayed Saleh and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center). Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greece and Iraq agreed on Monday to work towards the renewal a 1981 agreement in tourism with a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The news was announced during a meeting in Athens between Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, Mouayed Saleh.

The two sides agreed to update cooperation as part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral ties. Introducing direct flights between Athens and Bagdad topped the agenda, which also included increasing tourist flows between the two countries, the exchange of knowhow, and private sector synergies.

Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, Mouayed Saleh and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

During the meeting, Saleh expressed Iraq’s interest to enhance cooperation with Greece. In this direction, he invited Kefalogianni to visit Bagdad.

The Greek minister agreed and underlined the importance for Greece of reaching out to new markets. Among others, she proposed organizing familiarization trips for ambassadors of foreign countries living in Greece.

Greece – Slovakia

Ambassador of Slovakia to Greece, Marcela Hanusová and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Continuing her meetings with diplomats, Kefalogianni also met with the Ambassador of Slovakia to Greece, Marcela Hanusová, with whom she discussed tightening cooperation in tourism. Among others, Hanusová said Greece was the second favorite holiday destination among Slovak travelers and expressed satisfaction for the operation of a twice weekly direct flight from Athens to Bratislava.

The Slovak ambassador went on to add that efforts were being made through press and fam trips to introduce Slovakia to travelers in Greece, and that the country would be setting up for the first time in its history a tourism ministry. Lastly, she also invited Kefalogianni to visit Slovakia.