Baghdad: Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani praised the distinguished level of cultural relations with France. The Ministry of Culture said in a statement, “The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, received today, Monday, in his official office at the Ministry’s headquarters, the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, in the presence of the Director General of the Department of Public Cultural Relations, Dr. Alaa Abu Al-Hassan, and the Director of the Minister’s Office, Omar Awda Al-Lahibi.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Badrani emphasized that culture in Iraq is flourishing and active on the Arab and international levels, pointing to the continuation of cultural festivals and events, the ongoing cooperation between the Mosul Museum and the Louvre Museum in Paris, as well as the excavation work carried out by French missions in Assyrian Nineveh. He noted that these projects are progressing well.

He stressed the importance of encouraging French tourists to visit various Iraqi governorates, especially Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Kurdistan, Babylon, and Ur, based on the strong historical relations between the two countries, especially in the field of tourism.

For his part, the French Ambassador expressed his pride in the level of cultural cooperation between the two countries, noting that his current visit confirms the previous visit and reflects both sides’ keenness to develop cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism. He announced that he will make an upcoming visit to Mosul in two weeks to view the ongoing restoration work at the Mosul Museum, a step that reinforces French support for Iraqi antiquities and heritage.

The statement added, “The Ambassador revealed an important cultural project in cooperation with the Arab World Institute in Paris, addressing the civilizations of Babylon, Mosul, and Ur. This project includes the production of a documentary film and the holding of an exhibition in France that reflects a bright image of the civilization of Mesopotamia, as well as the establishment of a virtual exhibition that will allow the global public to view Iraq’s rich heritage.”

The two sides also discussed facilitating the procedures for granting entry visas to Iraqis wishing to visit France, particularly those from the cultural community, and ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of museums, antiquities, heritage, arts, and tourism. The statement continued, “At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister presented the French ambassador with a set of publications in appreciation of the distinguished bilateral relations.”