Tag Archives | European Union (EU)

Iraq Launches National Housing Policy 2025-2030

By John Lee. The Government of Iraq, with support from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and funding from the European Union (EU), has launched the National Housing Policy (NHP) 2025-2030, providing a comprehensive framework to address the country's housing challenges and promote equitable, sustainable urban development. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani praised the […]

New 189-page EU Country Guidance for Iraq

By John Lee. The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published a new country guidance document for Iraq, providing an in-depth analysis of the situation in Iraq, focusing on the key elements of qualification for international protection. Click here to download the full 189-page report. To browse our comprehensive library of reports on Iraq, […]

Major Initiative to Improve Iraqi Aviation Standards

By John Lee. The Iraqi government has approved the formation of a working group, chaired by the head of the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA), to oversee the licensing of Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Najaf airports. The team will also review the Iraqi Airways and State Company for Air Navigation Services to ensure full compliance […]

EU allocates EUR 1.1m for Urgent Water Crisis in Basra

The European Union allocates EUR 1.1 million to address urgent water crisis in Basra, Iraq In response to the escalating water crisis in Basra, southern Iraq, the European Union is allocating EUR 1.1 million in humanitarian funding. The emergency support will address urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs over the next six months, targeting […]

EU-Funded Gene Bank Launched in Kurdistan

By John Lee. In a landmark move to protect Iraq's agricultural legacy and strengthen its food security, the foundation stone has been laid for the country's first-ever Gene/Seed Bank, located in Hawari Shar Park, Sulaymaniyah. The facility is being funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the […]

EU appoints New Head of Mission in Iraq

By John Lee. The Council of the European Union has appointed Ralf Schröder (pictured) as the new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq). He will take up his duties on 16th August 2025. According to a statement: Ralf Schröder is a high-ranked German police officer with 30 years […]

EU Maintains Flight Ban on Iraqi Carriers

By John Lee. The European Union (EU) has confirmed it will maintain operational restrictions on Iraqi air carriers following a technical review that found insufficient progress in the country's aviation safety oversight capabilities. Iraqi Airways and Fly Baghdad remain on the EU's banned carrier list, with both airlines subject to operating restrictions imposed in December […]

Iraqi Airways closer to Removal of EU Ban

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a key meeting with representatives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to track progress on lifting the European Union's ban on Iraqi Airways. During the session, the IATA delegation and the Head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) presented a detailed update, confirming that […]

EU Bank to Begin Iraq Operations in September

By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to commence operations in Iraq this September, following the country's accession to the European Union Bank. Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), received an EBRD delegation in Baghdad to discuss the final steps required before operations begin. […]

Cave Restoration Project Completes First Phase in Duhok

By John Lee. The first phase of the restoration of Charsteen Cave, a major archaeological and touristic site in the Kurdistan Region, has been completed. The work, costing approximately $1 million, was funded jointly by the European Union, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Located in Gali Duhok, south of […]

Iraqi Airways Advances Towards Lifting EU Aviation Ban

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Transport has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements as part of ongoing efforts to lift the European airspace ban on Iraqi Airways. According to a statement from the Ministry's media office, Iraqi Airways is working towards obtaining the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) […]

Iraq pushes EU to lift Ban on Iraqi Airways

By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met on Sunday with a delegation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), led by Kamel Al-Awadi, IATA's Vice President. The discussions focused on Iraq's ongoing efforts to end the European Union's airspace ban on Iraqi Airways, as well as the progress of the government's corrective […]