Iraqi Minister of Social Affairs, Ahmed Al-Asadi, announced that "Lebanon and Iraq are one situation," emphasizing that his country will remain a "supporter of Lebanon and standing by it."
Al-Asadi clarified, following his meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nabih Berri, that they are "in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding during this visit between the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and the Lebanese Ministry of Labor, concerning vocational training, health and safety at work, social security, and everything that would develop relations between the two countries."
In response to a question about increasing the quantity of Iraqi oil to Lebanon, he said, "Yesterday, Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayad was in Iraq as a guest of the Prime Minister, alongside the Iraqi Minister of Oil, and they discussed the Lebanese government's request to increase the quantity of Iraqi oil to Lebanon," adding, "Negotiations are still ongoing to discuss technical issues. Iraq still supports one million tons annually, and there is a request from Lebanon to increase this amount, and discussions are still continuing."
For his part, Lebanese Minister of Labor, Mustafa Bayram, who participated in the meeting, confirmed that they have "begun a serious and important documented path of cooperation that leverages the capabilities of both countries and the inter-state relations in the region, particularly as a successful model of the strategic relationship."
Regarding vocational training between the two countries, Bayram stated, "The matters we are addressing include accelerated vocational training to equip workers with skills so that they can find suitable jobs based on merit rather than through nepotism. This allows individuals with some skills and competency to be employed. This approach gives workers a sense of meaning and boosts their self-confidence."
