Kurdistan
On 12 March 2012 the Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation had hosted, in the framework of celebrating 90 years of political relation between Romanian and Iraq, the Conference IRAQ: PAST AND PRESENT having as special contributor His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea opens the CONFERENCE -IRAQ: PAST AND PRESENT -12 March 2012
The conference has enjoyed the presence of Romanian academic community, Doctoral School of International Relations, experts in international relations, diplomats, journalists and historians.
Opening the conference, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea highlighted the main elements of the Iraqi-Romanian bilateral relations calendar for 2012.
This year is marking the 90 years anniversary of establishing political dialogue between Romania and Iraq, 25 years from the last public conference presenting Iraqi realities to Romanian public ( last public conference was held in 1987) and the celebration of 30 years from the highest level of economic bilateral relations , registered in 1982, with a level of bilateral trade reaching 386 million dollars ( over 800 million dollars at present day US dollar value), this level of economic exchange being just a sign of the viability and amplitude of the bilateral economic exchanges.
Fallowing this extensive presentation of the bilateral relations landmarks celebrated in 2012 by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea the fallowing speakers presented their salute for His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq and for the personalities present to conference.
The welcoming speeches where held among others by Honorary President of Academic Community- Constantin Balaceanu Stolnici, Professor Dr. Petru Buneci, Professor dr. Academician Mircea Constantinescu etc.
Key note speech of the CONFERENCE IRAK: PAST AND PRESENT held by His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq.
The key speech of the conference was held by His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq. His report emphasized on the historical evolution of Iraq, from the time of Summer civilization to Assyrian Empire, culminating with the arrival of Islam and with the moment of Karbala martyrdom of Imam Hussein and the fracture between the rulers, the guardians of power of this world and the oppressed of all social strata in search of a better future , a fracture that will mark the history of Iraq.
The ample historical fresco presented to the audience by the Ambassador of Iraq had also draw the attention of the public to the Ottoman legacy and to the independence fight concluding the modern history of Iraq with the moment of 1958 revolution.
The recent history of Iraq was vivid reconstructed with an emphasizing on the difficult moments that confronted Iraq society under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein, but also on the positive aspects of today`s Iraq.
Ambassador MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI had made an enthusiastic presentation of Iraq today`s developments including: democratic credentials, building a civil society, constructing a free market economy and a rapid economic development.
These elements are charting the profile of a society that is not perfect, but is aware of his weaknesses and is trying his best to remedy them, and this is the essence of progress.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea announced : unanimity of votes for His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq- BEST AMBASSADOR FOR 2011
Marking the final moments of the conference, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and Academician Constantin Balacanu Stolnici requested an appreciation vote and a thanking manifestation for His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI and for Iraq and in a unanimous response the audience pay homage to an exceptional and sophisticated academic speech approving the handing on ceremony of the title of BEST AMBASSADOR FOR 2011 to His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI – Iraq Ambassador .
The Conference IRAQ: PAST AND PRESENT has re-candled the tradition of presenting Iraq realities to the Romanian academic community, after a 25 years hiatus and laid the foundation of a better mutual knowledge and appreciation of the progresses made by Iraq in the last span of time.
Academician Constantin Balaceanu Stolnici, prof.dr. Petru Buneci, Minister Petru Lificiu and Professor Dr. Anton Caragea bestow the Certificate for BEST AMBASSADOR FOR 2011 to His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI- Ambassador of Iraq
The great response from the Romanian side to the conference and bestowing the title of BEST AMBASSADOR FOR 2011 to His Excellency MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI – Ambassador of Iraq, had stated a clear signal on the importance that Romania is attaching not only to reward an outstanding diplomatic activity but also to mark an important relation for Romanian people: the relation with Iraq.
CONFERINTA IRAK-TRECUT SI PREZENT. UN SUCCES DIPLOMATIC PENTRU IRAK.
In data de 12 martie 2012 Institutul de Relatii Internationale si Cooperare Economica a organizat, cu ocazia implinirii a 90 de ani de relatii politice intre Romania si Irak , Conferinta IRAK- TRECUT SI PREZENT, sustinuta de Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului .
Profesor Dr. Anton Caragea deschide Conferinta: IRAK- TRECUT SI PREZENT
Conferinta s-a bucurat de prezenta comunitatii academice din Romania, a reprezentantilor Scolii doctorale de relatii internationale, experti in relatii internationale, diplomati, jurnalisti si istorici.
In deschiderea conferintei prof.dr.Anton Caragea a prezentat principalele elemente ale calendarului relatiei bilaterale Romania-Irak pentru anul 2012.
In acest an se marcheza 90 de ani de relatii politice intre Romania si Irak , 25 de ani de la ultima conferinta publica dedicata Irakului ( conferinta ce a avut loc in 1987) si implinirea a 30 de ani de la varful relatiilor economice bilaterale , anul 1982, cand volumul comertului bilateral a depasit suma de 386 de milioane de dolari ( peste 800 de milioane de dolari la cursul actual) dand un semnal al viabilitatii relatiei economice bilaterale.
Dupa aceasta prezentare a stadiului actual al relatiei bilaterale au urmat cuvintele de bun sosit adresate Excelentei Sale MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului si auditoriului conferintei.
Discursurile de bun sosit au fost rostite de Presedinte -Academician Constantin Balaceanu Stolnici, prof.univ.dr. Petru Buneci, prof.univ.dr. academician Mircea Constantinescu etc.
Discursul central al Conferintei sustinut de Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului.
In discursul central al conferintei, Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului a prezentat o ampla fresca istorica a devenirii Irakului, incepand cu perioada sumeriana , continuand cu perioada asiriana si apoi cu sosirea islamului si momentul definitoriu al separarii intre cei care detin puterea in lume si oprimatii, din toate straturile sociale in cautarea unei vieti mai bune si a dreptatii.
Prezentarea elementelor cheie ale istoriei Irakului a continuat, trecand prin perioada otomana , apoi a mandatului britanic si apoi perioada independentei ,a revolutiei din 1958 si trecutul apropiat , al perioadei lui Saddam Hussein, au fost viu reconstruite in discursul ambasadorului irakian.
Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI a construit apoi un amplu expozeu al realitatilor Irakului de astazi : dezvoltarea democratica, construirea societatii civile , construirea unei economii de piata, cresterea economica rapida, toate creeaza portretul unei societati, care nu este perfecta, dar care este constienta de lipsurile sale si doreste sa le repare cat mai rapid.
Profesor Dr. Anton Caragea anunta rezultatul , in unanimitate, Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului este declarat CEL MAI BUN AMBASADOR AL ANULUI 2011.
La finalul conferintei prof.dr.Anton Caragea si Academician Constantin Balaceanu Stolnici au solicitat un vot de apreciere si de multumire pentru Excelenta Sa MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului.
In unanimitate cei prezenti au salutat un discurs si un demers academic de exceptie inmanand titlul de CEL MAI BUN AMBASADOR al ANULUI 2011 Excelentei Sale MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului .
Conferinta IRAK : TRECUT SI PREZENT a reluat traditia prezentarii realitatilor irakiene in fata comunitatii academice romanesti, dupa un hiatus de 25 de ani si a pus bazele unei mai bune cunoasteri reciproce si a aprecierii progreselor facute de Irak in ultimii ani .
Academician Constantin Balaceanu Stolnici, prof.dr. Petru Buneci, Petru Lificiu-ministru si Profesor Dr. Anton Caragea ofera certificatul pentru CEL MAI BUN AMBASADOR AL ANULUI 2011 Excelentei Sale MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului.
Desfasurarea cu o larga participare romanesca a conferintei, entuziasmul comunitatii academice si acordarea titlului de CEL MAI BUN AMBASADOR AL ANULUI 2011 Excelentei Sale MOHAMMED SAEED AL SHAKARCHI -Ambasadorul Irakului au reprezentat un semnal clar de incurajare si de apreciere pentru o activitate meritorie si o relatie importanta pentru Romania : relatia cu Irakul.
Sursa: centrul diplomatic
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Iraq Invests $4m in Film Industry
March 22nd, 2012 |
As part of the celebrations for Baghdad being named as the capital of Arab culture for 2013, Iraq will invest 5 billion Iraqi dinars ($4.2 million) in its film industry, according to a report from Variety Arabia.
Dr Shafiq Mahdi, the director general of the department of Cinema and Theatre, announced that the department has approved theallocations for the production of 15 feature films this year.
The first film to be produced will be “Pleasures and Pains”, directed by the Iraqi director Mohamed Shukri Jameel, which exposes political and social corruption in Iraq.
The second film by Raed Meshatat, titled “The Silence of the Shepherd”, focuses on the crimes of the former regime and their impact on the character of the Iraqi society in general.
Dr Mahdi added that work is underway to complete four films and other documentaries by young directors, including Hadi Mahood, Ali Hashim, Eman Khadir.
He also revealed new initiatives to activate children’s cinema. “The month of April will see launch of the first cinema and theatre for children with a budget of 100 million dinars ($830,000).”
(Source: Variety Arabia)
Agriculture Ministry Plans to Save 3.6bn cu. meters of water
March 22nd, 2012 |
The Iraqi Agriculture Ministry has announced plans to save 3.6 billion cubic meters of water by deploying 35,000 irrigation sprinklers during the next planting season, according to AKnews.
Ministry spokesman Karim al-Tamimi said the sprinklers were distributed among all provinces in the country.
Iraq has suffered from drought due to a lack of rainfall as well as low water levels in rivers that enter the country, such as the Tigris and Euphrates. Iraq accuses Turkey, Syria and Iran of being responsible for the low levels of water due to the building of dams.
The news follows an announcement by the KRG to build 12 dams in the semi-autonomous region in an attempt to save about 20 billion cubic meters of water annually.
(Source: AKnews)
Iraq to Buy 25,000 tons of Vegetable Oil from Egypt
March 22nd, 2012 |
The Iraqi Trade Ministry has reportedly signed a contract with the Egyptian company Arma for the purchase of 25,000 tons of vegetable oil.
Hashem Hatam, the Foreign economic relations chief at the ministry, told AKnews that the oil will be distributed to civilians through the food rationing program.
The quantity is sufficient for only three months, so the ministry has therefore turned to Turkish and Argentinean companies for the rest of the oil.
The first shipment is due to arrive at the port of Umm Qasr on 23rd February.
Hatam added that the ministry has invited all Egyptian companies engaged in the production of oil and sugar to visit Iraq to confirm their investment prospects and participate in bids to supply the food rationing program.
(Source: AKnews)
Iraq 2012 Wheat Crop 10-15% Below 2011
March 22nd, 2012 |
Iraq’s wheat crop is expected to decline further if rains do not arrive soon, according to a report from BlackSeaGrain.
Although some small showers have helped the crop, wheat yields are already down by 11 per cent on the last seasons crop.
If the rains do not arrive Iraq will most likely need to increase it’s imports of wheat for milling purposes, by the amount of the shortfall, at this time estimated to be around 250 TMT.
(Source:
Iraq and Syria to Complete Al-Qa’im Railway
March 22nd, 2012 |
A new agreement will see Iraq and Syria work together to complete the Al-Qa’im railway line and increase trade between the two countries, reports AKnews.
The Iraqi Railways Company signed an agreement this week with Syrian Railways to construct the remainder of the railway line to reach the Iraqi border in the Al-Qa’im area, which will be linked with the Iraqi line at the end of this year.
This will result in two railway ports for Iraq and Syria, the other port being in Rabei.
(Source: AKnews)
Qatar Airways Announces New Iraq Routes
March 22nd, 2012 |
Qatar Airways has announced further expansion of its rapidly-growing international network with five new passenger routes, more cargo services and capacity increases to a number of destinations served direct from the airline’s Doha hub.
Among the new routes are two new destinations in Iraq – the northern city of Erbil and capital Baghdad.
Both routes will be served four times a week, using Airbus A320 aircraft.
The Erbil-Doha route will start in May, while the Baghdad-Doha route will start in June.
(Source: Qatar Airways)
Kirkuk to Spend $160m on 3 Power Plants
March 22nd, 2012 |
A member of Kirkuk Provincial Council has announced that there new power plants will soon be installed in the province.
Fuad Hussein said the decision was made after the deputy electricity minister met the Council.
An Iranian company will install two 196MW plants in Dubiz district, while a South Korean company will install the other 293MW plant in Taza district. The total cost of the is estimated at $160 millio.
(Source: AKnews)
Egypt’s Orascom Wins $363m Power Contract
March 22nd, 2012 |
Iraq’s cabinet has approved a $363 million (435 billion Iraqi dinar) contract on Tuesday with Egypt’s Orascom Construction to build a 1,014 MW gas-fired power plant in the northern town of Baiji [Beiji, Bayji].
The contract involves building the plant and installing six 169 MW generators which Iraq bought from Siemens in 2008.
The project is expected to be completed within 21 months, Musab al-Mudarres [Musaab al-Mudarris], a spokesman at the electricity ministry, told Reuters.
Iraqi demand for electricity peaked at 15,000 megawatts last year, but the oil-producing nation managed to supply less than half of that.
(Sources: Reuters, Aswat al-Iraq)
Japan Pledges $530m in Loans to Iraq
March 22nd, 2012 |
AFP reports that Japan is to offer $530 million in loans to Iraq, in part to help rebuild oil refineries, as Tokyo seeks to diversify fuel supplies after the tightening of sanctions on Iran.
A Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said that loans totalling 42.5 billion yen have been pledged to Baghdad to aid four infrastructure projects: a refinery in the southern city of Basra, another refinery in the northern city of Baiji, a hospital and a telecommunications system.
The total value of the projects is 160 billion yen and the main contractors will be Japanese companies.
Japan has eagerly sought to strengthen its ties with Iraq by offering reconstruction support in the aftermath of the conflict there. The world’s third-largest economy relies heavily on the Middle East for its oil needs, and is under pressure from the United States to reduce its dependency on Iran.
(Source: AFP)