Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 17, 2021
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Kotaro Suzuki, the Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, accompanied by the outgoing Head of the Consular Office of Japan, Ms. Nagayama Yoshiko.
Topics of discussion included Japan’s support and aid to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially the aid that is provided by the Japanese NGOs and government organizations in the country. Discussions also focused on strengthening of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s bilateral ties with Japan, investment opportunities for Japanese businesses in the Kurdistan Region, the COVID-19 pandemic, the terror threats and latest developments in the Kurdistan Region.
The President expressed the gratitude of the Kurdistan Region to the government and people of Japan for the services provided by the Japanese NGOs and government organizations, especillay in areas of electricity, water and sanitation.
Ambassador Suzuki commended the peace and stability in the Region and expressed his country’s readiness to strengthen ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The Ambassador also thanked the Region for supporting and facilitating the work of Japanese organizations and NGOs in Kurdistan. Mr. Suzuki reaffirmed his country’s continued readiness to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Discussions also focused on the status of the displaced people and refugees in the country. It was stressed that the displaced and the refugees should voluntarily return, after restoring security in their reconstructed home areas.
President Nechirvan Barzani thanked the outgoing Head of the Consular Office of Japan, Ms. Nagayama Yoshiko for her support and services.
