Government Chancellor and Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan discuss promotion of economic ties and cooperation in education
As part of her visit to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Government Chancellor Giedrė Balčytytė met with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq to discuss bilateral cooperation, closer business relations, and the importance of preserving and strengthening the rules-based world order.
During the meeting, Giedrė Balčytytė highlighted Lithuania's recognition of the potential in the bilateral cooperation, particularly in fostering partnerships between institutions and businesses, and sharing expertise in the digital agenda.
The Government Chancellor also recalled the effective cooperation between Lithuanian and Iraqi institutions, including those in Kurdistan, in addressing the issue of illegal migration several years ago.
On the challenge from authoritarian regimes, Government Chancellor Balčytytė emphasized that such regimes are testing the rules-based world order, which, if compromised, may jeopardize the safety of regions and countries.
Lithuania has successfully implemented several bilateral projects in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region under the framework of development cooperation. Prime Minister Barzani expressed gratitude for Lithuania's support, particularly for the Mahmudiya Primary School for girls of the local Yazidi community in the Sinjar district of Kurdistan, which was built and equipped with Lithuanian funding to be opened in 2022.
The parties also looked into opportunities for continuing and expanding cooperation in education and information technologies.