site.btaDeputy Sports Minister Meets Iraqi Charge d'Affaires

Bulgaria's Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Petar Mladenov met with Haider Alburiahi, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq, to discuss the possible signing of a memorandum on youth and sports cooperation, the Ministry said Thursday.

Alburiahi said the Iraqi government was committed to developing the two sectors, which had prompted it to take steps towards talks on the signing of the document.

Mladenov said the exchange of experience and good practices would be useful to both countries and briefed Alburiahi on the Ministry's activities in the field of youth. "At the national level, the Ministry finances over 100 youth organizations. We believe that to promote sustainable youth development, we should give a chance to youth, youth actions and initiatives," he said.

The Deputy Minister noted that there are eight international youth centres in Bulgaria, which serve as hubs for young people at the local level. Twenty more will be built in smaller settlements under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Alburiahi stressed that Iraq is working on an EU-backed programme supporting youth initiatives and engagement, and expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries will be successful.