Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krg) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Ambassador Frank Baker, United Kingdom ambassador to Iraq and his accompanying delegation.

Ambassador Baker highlighted bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and United Kingdom in all the fields, particularly the commercial and economic areas.

The two sides discussed the situation in Iraq in general and the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in particular.
Ambassador Baker reiterated UK support for the Peshmerga Forces in the war against terrorism, praising their role and that of the people and government of Kurdistan Region in confronting and repulsing the terrorist threat.

He also pointed to the differences between Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government, as well as the Region’s internal issues, particularly the Kurdistan Region Presidency Law, stressing the need for solving those issues through dialog, common understanding, and consensus.

Ambassador Baker expressed his support and collaboration for the settlement of these issues.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the UK delegation for the visit, expressing his hope that bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and United Kingdom will witness further development in all the fields.

He highlighted the continuous victories marked by the Peshmerga Forces in the war against ISIS. Meantime, he called for further military aid for Peshmerga forces from European countries, particularly the United Kingdom.

Regarding the differences with the Iraqi Federal Government, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that Kurdistan Regional Government aims to solve the issues through dialog and negotiations.

Regarding the issue of the Kurdistan Region Presidency Law, he reiterated that it should be settled on the basis of consensus and mutual understanding, and that all the political sides should reach an outcome that is in the general interests of the Kurdistan Region.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, EU ambassador to Iraq Jana Hybaskova, and their accompanying delegation.

The EU officials expressed their appreciation to the people and government of Kurdistan Region, which has accommodated and offered assistance to a large number of refugees and internally displaced people, IDP’s, despite the Region's financial difficulties.

They reiterated their support and assistance to the Kurdistan Region, stressing that they will work for increasing international assistance in order to help easing the Region's financial burden.

In a post on his twitter account, Mr. Christos Stylianides said, “We're committed to support impressive generosity of KRG to IDPs and refugees”.

In the meeting with the Prime Minister, the EU delegation also hailed the role of the Peshmerga forces that have been able to repulse Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, forces, and protect the region's population from various religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the EU officials for their visit, and demanded that they covey the reality of situation in the Region to the related European and international organizations. He called for further assistance to the refugees and IDPs, directly or through the international and local aid agencies.

He praised Ambassador Hybaskova’s role, who frequently visits Kurdistan Region and closely observers the situation on the ground, saying this demonstrates the importance that the European Union accords to the Kurdistan Region.

The two sides also discussed the recent developments in Iraq and the region in general.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, made a statement on the occasion of the nuclear deal reached between representatives of 5 +1 group of countries, which include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Following is the text of the statement:

On the occasion of the agreement reached between 5 +1 group of countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the Iranian nuclear file, we extend our congratulations to the leader, the Presidency and the people of Iran. We hope that this agreement will mark the beginning of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the countries and peoples of the world, for the sake of achieving world peace and progress of humanity.

This agreement is the evidence that patience and perseverance in talks and negotiations, constitute the best way to bring about agreement between the nations in the world. On this occasion, we highly value the work achieved by all the negotiating delegations, their cooperation and the relentless efforts of the United Nations in maintaining coordination in order to preserve world peace.

With this in mind, I would like to highlight our friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we are confident that this agreement will be a factor of strengthening and further developing the relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran in all the fields.

Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region
15 July 2015

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Italian Minister of Defence, Ms. Roberta Pinotti and her accompanying delegation, which included the Italian Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, the Italian army Chief of Staff and a number of diplomats and military officials.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, and a number of Kurdistan Regional Government Ministers and officials, Ms. Pinotti reaffirmed her government’s appreciation for the role played by the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga Forces in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and in defending and  protecting the  various communities in the Kurdistan Region.

She said that the Kurdistan Region enjoys a high reputation at the global level as its Peshmerga Forces defend civilisation against barbarity.

While she praised the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government for having accommodated and offered assistance to a large number of refugees and displaced persons, who fled ISIS violent repression and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, Ms. Roberta Pinotti expressed her country’s readiness to help this vulnerable population.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Italian people and government for their continuous support, recalling Italian Prime Minister's visit last year, when ISIS began attacking Kurdistan.

The two sides discussed Italy’s military support to the Peshmerga Forces and humanitarian aid to the refugees and IDPs.

Ms. Pinotti and her accompanying delegation arrived Kurdistan Region last night and were received at Erbil International Airport by Mustafa Sayid Qadir, Minister for Peshmerga Affairs, Falah Mustafa, head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Rezan Qadir, KRG representative in Italy.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received United Nations Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Quad Talabani, Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Kubiš expressed his satisfaction for the level of cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government institutions and United Nations agencies, and thanked the KRG for the assistance it has so far offered to refugees and internally displaced persons who fled violent repression of the Islamic State terrorist organisation and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Kubiš also stressed that the United Nations supports KRG's efforts in settling its differences with Baghdad through dialogue, pointing out that they are willing to help the Kurdistan Region in this regard. He reiterated the need for all the parties to commit to the agreement reached between the two sides.

Prime Minister Barzani briefed the UN envoy about the latest developments in the relations between the KRG and Federal Government of Iraq, pointing out that the differences between the two sides, which have been going on since last year, have still not been addressed. Hence the Kurdistan Regional Government has been forced to take other measures to address its own urgent problems, particularly financial ones, occurred as the result of non-abidance of Baghdad by its agreement with the Erbil.

Meantime, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the KRG supports dialogue and talks with Baghdad in order to come up with appropriate solutions in the interest of the two sides. He commended the role played by the United Nations in this regard.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers yesterday held its ordinary meeting, chaired by Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani and attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani.

Prime Minister Barzani shed light on the latest developments in the relations between Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and the Iraqi Federal Government, highlighting the differences between the two sides over the implementation of Iraq’s 2015 Federal Budget Law.

The KRG has fulfilled its obligations as stipulated in the Law, while the Iraqi government has not fully honoured its obligations, which consist of the payment of Kurdistan Region’s budget.

The Iraqi Federal Government takes this stance at the moment when the financial burden on the KRG has dramatically increased, due to the ongoing war against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and, in addition to its 1.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs, Kurdistan Region continues receiving waves of people fleeing the zones under ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the KRG continues exerting great effort to ease the Region’s financial difficulties. He reiterated that his government aims at settling the problems with Baghdad through dialog and negotiations. However, he added, if the negotiations lead to no result, the KRG is entitled to settle its problems on the basis of law No. 5, Year 2013, which gives authority to the KRG to seek sources helping to stabilise the Region’s financial security, if Baghdad fails to do so.

In another part of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Talabani and Ministers of Finance and Economy and Natural Resources discussed the issue of loan from international banks under the Kurdistan Region Parliament Law No. 7 of 2015, published in Official Gazette on 25 June.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani briefed the Council about the talks held recently with a number of international financial institutions, noting that the move will help the Kurdistan Region not only in securing financial resources, but it would also further enhance the position of the Kurdistan Region in gaining market credibility.

The members of the Council expressed their support for this project and decided to set up a special committee to be in charge of the implementation of the Law.

Issue of amendment of Kurdistan Region Presidency Law

Regarding the Kurdistan Parliament meeting which held on 23 June 2015 to discuss amendments to the Law of Kurdistan Region Presidency, Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that this move created unease among the people in the Region and was a violation of the principle of consensus, while the session of parliament was held without consulting other parties and not taking into account the current difficulties which the Kurdistan Region passes through.

However, he added, exerting efforts to reach a common understanding among the leaders of political parties continues.

He said, meanwhile, the Kurdistan Parliament move should not reflect in the government work, which as a broad-base government has been conducting its affairs in harmony and unity of ranks.

The Ministers, present at the meeting, unanimously expressed their support for the stance of Prime Minister on the need for the unity of ranks and stances in conducting government affairs, and not to violate the principle of consensus. They also expressed concern about the Parliament move which deals with a sensitive subject at this critical moment.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received a United States congressional delegation, led by Congressman Rob Wittman.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Mr. Wittman commended the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga Forces for having been able to repulse the attacks of the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, as well as their ability and commitment, which he said he observed in the training centres that the delegation has visited.

The issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and Iraq’s Federal Government were discussed in the meeting, highlighting Baghdad’s refusal to honour its agreement with the Region.

The financial burden, which represents the hosting of over 1.7 million refugees and internally displaced people, IDPs, who fled ISIS repression and took refuge in Kurdistan, was also discussed in the meeting.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Kurdistan Region to President Barak Obama, his administration, the congress, the people and the military forces of the United States that have played a significant role in protecting Kurdistan people from the terrorist threats by providing Kurdistan Region with humanitarian and military assistance.

He expressed his hope that this assistance, particularly in the military fields, will continue.

Prime Minister Barzani also urged the delegation to play a role in solving the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s Federal Government that could lead Baghdad to honour the agreement, reached last December between the two sides, on oil export and budgetary issues.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek, the United States Chief of Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, and his accompanying military and diplomatic delegation.

General Bednarek visited Prime Minister on the occasion of termination of his duty in Iraq and introduce his successor, Major General Paul LaCamera.

General Bednarek thanked Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, the Ministry of Peshmerga, and Peshmerga forces, who, he said, have offered full cooperation and assistance during his mission.

General Bednarek commended the role played by Peshmerga forces in confronting Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, stressing the continuation of the United States support to the Peshmerga forces.

The situation of different areas of Iraq, particularly the areas under the control of ISIS, as well as the current and future cooperation among the coalition, Iraqi and Peshmerga forces were also discussed.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked General Bednarek, who during the past two years has fulfilled his duty effectively in Iraq and Kurdistan Region. He expressed his wishes of success in his new position.

Prime Minister Barzani meanwhile welcomed Major General Paul LaCamera, reiterating the cooperation and coordination of Kurdistan Region Peshmerga and security forces with his office.

He expressed his gratitude to the coalition forces, particularly the United States forces that have played a significant role in repulsing terrorist threats from Kurdistan Region.