On September 1, the RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan received the members of the delegation led by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa.
Ara Babloyan welcomed the Minister and the members of the delegation in parliament and expressed hope that the visit of the delegation will promote the deepening of the Armenian-Iraqi developing relations.
The RA NA Speaker highlighted the development of the relations with the Arab world and the rapprochement of cooperation with Iraq in all spheres.
Ara Babloyan underlined the importance of the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation and the strengthening of the relations of the parliamentary Friendship Groups.
The RA NA Speaker noted: “In geographical aspect Iraq is the closest country to Armenia, and the Armenian businessmen’s is great in the development of trade-economic relations with Iraq. We are ready to discuss investment programmes concerning different spheres and create mutually favourable conditions for the businessmen of the two countries.” ”
Ara Babloyan has noted that he is ready to support any initiative aimed at the Armenian-Iraqi cooperation and sent his wishes to the parliament and the Iraqi people.
Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa thanked the RA NA Speaker for the reception and presented the restoration process of Iraq and the commonalities and differences of Armenia's higher educational institutions to Ara Babloyan. The Minister shared his impressions received from Armenia with the RA NA Speaker, expressing hope that in future the Iraqi students will have an opportunity and wish for receiving higher education in Armenia.
Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa noted their interest especially connected with American University of Armenia, Faculties of Nuclear Physics and Military Medicine in the higher educational institutions. The Minister emphasized the role of the inter-parliamentary cooperation and expressed hope that the Committees on Education and Science of the parliaments of the two countries will cooperate from now on.
At the end of the meeting Ara Babloyan has stated that it is desirable that all peoples of the world live in peace, and necessity of educating military doctors will not emerge.
Ara Babloyan has noted that the RA National Assembly is ready to finance three Iraqi students' stay in Armenia, and in response to that the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research promised to give scholarship to five Armenian students.