Erbil, Kurdistan Region, December 9, 2022
President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil President Katalin Novak of Hungary. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including the bilateral relations of Hungary with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in Iraq and the political process in the country, the pending issues between Erbil and Baghdad and the ongoing dialogue to resolve their disputes. The fight against terrorism and the continued threats of ISIS, the situation of the refugees and the status of ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region were highlighted during the meeting.
President Nechirvan Barzani and President Katalin Novak emphasized their mutual readiness to develop their bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas, underlining the necessity of the continued cooperation and support of the international coalition to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to combat terrorism and to eliminate ISIS.
President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his pleasure at the visit of President Novak, referring to the visit as the demonstration of Hungary’s support for the Kurdistan Region. The President conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of the Kurdistan Region for the military support of Hungary to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region during the fight against ISIS, and also for their humanitarian support of Christian and Yezidi communities.
For her part, President Novak expressed the gratitude and appreciation of her country for the sacrifices and the role of Peshmerga in defeating ISIS, reaffirming Hungary’s continued cooperation and support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to eliminate terrorism, and referring to ISIS and terror as threats to freedom and democracy. Ms. Novak thanked the Kurdistan Region for cherishing peaceful coexistence and tolerance among communities, and supporting the displaced people, the refugees and the ethnic and religious communities, especially the Christians and Yezidis in the Kurdistan Region.
Discussions also focused on the relationship of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring and regional countries, the importance of preserving stability and sovereignty of Iraq, the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, and other topics of mutual interest.
