London, United Kingdom (gov.UK) - Foreign Secretary William Hague and Prime Minister Nechirvan Idris Barzani discussed relations between the UK and the Kurdistan Region, Iraq’s recent elections, and human rights issues.

Speaking after the meeting the Foreign Secretary 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."

"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 neighbouring Syria."

"We also discussed the recent elections in Iraq, and the next steps towards the formation of a new federal government. I encouraged the Prime Minister, and other Kurdish parties, to remain fully engaged in this process."