Transportation minister, French envoy take on cooperation

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi minister of transportation has met with the French ambassador to Baghdad to discuss means of boosting mutual cooperation in the transportation sector. “The minister has tackled the possibility of signing a comprehensive contract with CMA. The contract will be made to include the State Company for Iraqi Ports, the State Company for Maritime Transportation and the State Company for Land Transportation in an attempt to render the dry channel project a success,” according to a ministry statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Under the contract, the containers shall be transported via Iraq and Syria to Mediterranean countries and Iraqi staff shall be employed to work on board of French ships, the statement indicated. The French official has expressed his readiness to back the project, which is expected to be announced during Iraqi President Jalal al-Talabani’s visit to France, the statement added. SS (P) 1