Caretaker Minister of Labor Mustafa Bayram announced today the cancellation of entry visa fees for the Lebanese to Iraq, calling on Lebanese investors to invest in the promising Iraqi field.

In a press conference held this morning, Bayram touched on the results of his talks with Iraqi officials, stating that the aim of this conference was to brief the Lebanese on the atmosphere of his important visit to Iraq and to keep them abreast on any movement he is taking. He indicated that the first objective of his visit was to organize and protect the Lebanese and Iraqi labor force in both countries; however, he noted that the Lebanese Prime Minister took this a step further by commissioning him to extend an invitation to the Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Lebanon, which the latter duly accepted and will be visiting Lebanon in the next few days.

‘This is a significant development because he will be the first Iraqi prime minister to come to Lebanon in an official capacity after many years, and he quickly responded to the invitation, and this is a very important issue because of Iraq’s strategic and economic weight in the region, as well as the relations between the two countries,’ Bayram affirmed.

He added that during his meeting with the Iraqi PM, he requested to apply reciprocity with regard to the entry visa fee for the Lebanese visiting Iraq, which amounts to $52, whereby it was approved to remove said fee following a unanimous decision taken by the Iraqi cabinet.

Bayram said that the Iraqi PM assured him that his country will do everything that facilitates the work of the Lebanese, thereby encouraging Lebanese businessmen to invest in the promising Iraqi arena. ‘His presence in Lebanon at this time is very important and has great significance,’ he asserted, referring to Iraqi PM’s anticipated visit to Beirut.

Responding to a question, Bayram said he briefed PM Mikati and cabinet ministers on the outcome of his visit to Iraq, adding, ‘The most important thing is to develop and activate the relationship through direct meetings,’ while also underlining ‘Lebanon’s openness to all Arab countries.’

Source: National News Agency