Iraqi minister visits UCLG-MEWA 27.04.2012

The Minister of Tourism and Municipalities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq, Mr. Samir Abdullah Mustafa, paid a visit to the Secretary General of UCLG-MEWA Mehmet Duman on August 6 2011, while he was on a trip to Istanbul to make a cooperation agreement with the local public companies of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

 During the visit Minister Mustafa relayed his interest to develop mutual relations and inquired about possible means of cooperation between Iraq and Istanbul, especially at the level of local government. The minister was then briefed about the UCLG World Organization as well as the Middle East and West Asia Section, their membership structure and current activities, after which he conveyed his pleasure to have met with the representatives from this line of activity. He then highlighted the significance of the comparative study of local government laws that UCLG-MEWA is currently undertaking, and pointed out that such studies carry such a significance that they could hopefully pave the way for standardization of certain aspects of local laws in the region. He also expressed how pleased he was to have visited Istanbul and he emphasized the importance of successful models to develop bilateral relations. Mr. Abdullah was accompanied by the mayor of Erbil Mr. Habi Muhammed Khder and Secretary to the Minister Mr. Muhammad Omar Ahmad, and Consul General of Iraq to Istanbul Mr. Said Murad during his visit.