Iraq launches first bus line to ArmeniaJune 8, 2019 - 12:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Saturday, June 8 that it had launched the first Iraqi bus line traveling to Armenia that day, in what it called, "the first of its kind," Kurdistan24 reports. A ministry statement said that the addition to its routes comes within the framework of "the development of international transport and openness to neighboring countries and regional countries." Busses will pass from Iraq eastward into Iran, and then northward into Armenia, as the statement continued, to open up "new horizons" in tourism available to Iraqis. Highly-traveled bus routes between Iraq and Iran have been popular for years, but the new option may be a welcome one for Iraqi would-be sightseers who often complain of the severe limitations they face. According to the 2018 Henley Passport Index released in October, Iraq and Afghanistan are tied for the least desirable passport in terms of how many countries to which they allow their holders to visit. "Plans have been made for the success of this line and its use to serve Iraq in various economic, commercial, and tourist aspects." The ministry added that Saturday's first trip would be "experimental," and that representatives for Iraq, Iran, and Armenia will hold a trilateral meeting later this month "to overcome the obstacles that may hinder" its success. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |