Official delegation from Bulgaria, led by the Head of Office of International Organization for Migration (IOM) visited Iraq in the beginning of June 2023.

Senior officials from Migration Directorate, Border Police and State Agency for Refugees got the opportunity to exchange experience with their Iraqi counterparts in the field of migrants’ return and reintegration.

In Baghdad, the Bulgarian delegation had the chance to meet high officials from Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD), discussing root causes for migration, drivers for migrants to leave Iraq, reasons and ways for return, and reintegration support.

In Erbil, the delegation visited the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC) of Kurdistan Regional Government and discussed socio-economic situation in Kurdistan, as well as migration journeys of Iraqi migrants through Europe and challenges they face.

The Bulgarian representatives also had the chance to meet three returnees from Bulgaria, successfully reintegrating in Iraq.