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MINSK, 27 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Iraqi Kurdistan started discussing industrial cooperation and creation of joint ventures, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov told journalists after the first session of the joint group for trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Kurdistan Autonomy of the Republic of Iraq on 27 May, BelTA has learned.

Valentin Rybakov stressed that the first session of the joint group was an important event. “We understand that the region is going through a hard time, including from the point of view of terrorist threats and challenges. We hope for a peaceful settlement of the situation,” he said.

He also noted that Belarus and Iraq, including its Kurdistan Autonomy, are currently mapping out areas of mutually beneficial cooperation. These include industry, science, education, culture, and tourism.

Valentin Rybakov pointed out that the Iraqi delegation comprises representatives of different ministries and government agencies. Members of the delegation will hold meetings with their Belarusian colleagues. “This is only the beginning,” the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs believes. He stressed that the parties already hold negotiations on the possibility of supplying Belarusian industrial products to Kurdistan and setting up joint enterprises to sell products to the whole region.

For his part, Minister of Trade and Industry of Iraqi Kurdistan Samal Sardar emphasized the importance of developing ties with Belarus. “We are at the stage of studying Belarus’ potential,” he said. Samal Sardar noted that the visit of Vladimir Makei to Iraqi Kurdistan and the negotiations held during that visit marked the beginning of the bilateral cooperation. “We have come to Belarus to give additional impetus to our cooperation. The results of the first session of the joint group will be documented in a protocol,” Samal Sardar said.

He also pointed out that the situation in Iraqi Kurdistan is stable despite all the difficulties that the region is currently facing.