London, United Kingdom (KRG.org) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his accompanying delegation yesterday met with British Foreign Secretary William Hague to discuss bilateral relations and current political issues.
Speaking after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Hague said, "I was pleased to welcome Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Barzani to London today. The Prime Minister's visit is a chance to celebrate the warm relations between the UK and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with links in areas as diverse as trade, education, and culture, and to reaffirm the UK's desire to remain the Region's partner of choice on all of these issues."
Prime Minister Barzani expressed his full support for the KRG's robust and mutually beneficial partnership with the United Kingdom. Speaking after meeting the Foreign Secretary, he said, "This meeting was an important step in solidifying an already successful partnership with the UK, as well as exploring new avenues for cooperation. We highly value this relationship and are pleased to see it progress in this way."
The Prime Minister discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the political developments in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, and the pressing matter of the Syrian refugee crisis, including the role of the Kurdistan Region as a safe haven for thousands of Syrian refugees.
The Foreign Secretary lauded the success of the Kurdistan Region, stating, "I congratulated the Prime Minister on the progress that has been made in the Kurdistan Region over recent years, and the relative stability and security that has been achieved despite the violence in other parts of Iraq, and in neighboring Syria."
During the meeting both sides discussed the latest political developments in Iraq, including the recent elections, and the forthcoming government formation process. The regional government formation process in the Kurdistan was also an important topic. Prime Minister Barzani emphasised the value of including the main Kurdish political parties to reflect a truly inclusive and represent government. The meeting was attended by Hugh Robertson, The British Minister of State for the Middle East, the British Ambassador to Iraq, and a number of British advisors and officials.
Both sides also discussed ways to consolidate and strengthen relations between Erbil and London, particularly in regard to trade, investment, and cultural and educational exchange, in addition to cooperation between official British and Kurdish institutions. They spoke about the importance of commencing direct flights between Erbil and London as well as developing a clear mechanism which would ensure senior-level follow up and implementation of agreements.
Later that evening the Kurdish delegation met members of parliament from various British political parties at a dinner held in honour of the visiting delegation, which included Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Harwami, Minister of Planning Ali Sindi, Minister of Housing and Reconstruction and Acting Head of the Board of Investment Kamaran Ahmed, Head of the KRG Department of Follow Up and Coordination Minister Qubad Talabani, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG Spokesperson Minister Safeen Dizayee, KRG Representative to the UK Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman and various advisors.