Iraqi Ambassador, US discuss partnership in education and antiquities protection

Baghdad-INA

The Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, Nizar Al-Khairallah, discussed on Monday, with American officials enhancing partnership in the education and antiquities protection sectors.
 
Al-Khairallah said in a tweet followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "A meeting was held with Congressman Seth Moulton, where the discussion focused on strengthening Iraqi-American relations, expanding cooperation within the framework of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA), in addition to discussing regional developments, including events in Syria."
 
He added that "the meeting also discussed extending invitations to a number of members of Congress to expand the membership of the Iraq Group in the US House of Representatives, with the aim of enhancing joint dialogue and increasing cooperation to serve the bilateral partnership between the two countries."
 
The ambassador added that he "also discussed with the head of the Antiquities Smuggling Unit at the New York Attorney General's Office, Matthew Bogdanos, cooperation between Iraq and the United States in recovering smuggled Iraqi antiquities and combating the illegal trade in antiquities, and consolidating and accelerating points of contact to enhance anti-smuggling efforts," appreciating "Bogdanos' efforts in protecting cultural heritage and returning stolen treasures to their homeland."
 
Al-Khairallah pointed out that,” he met with the  CEO and Director of the Metropolitan Museum, Max Hollein, and discussed with him the establishment of a strategic partnership between the National Museum of Iraq and the Metropolitan Museum, which includes employing the latest technologies to enhance the experience of Iraqi museums, and opening new horizons for cultural and scientific cooperation that contribute to highlighting the Iraqi cultural heritage in the world."