Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – On the sideline of the consecration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch Gawergis Sliwa, the new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani responded to questions from journalists pertaining to the current situation.

Prime Minister Barzani described the return of the Chair of the Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East to Erbil, after eighty years, as a significant and historic event for the Kurdistan Region. This is, he said, due to peaceful coexistence among all religious and ethnic communities, which prevails in the Region. He said, “The return of the Chair of the Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East to Erbil is an important start and an honour for the Kurdistan Region.”

Regarding the issue of displaced people, Prime Minister Barzani said, “Around 1.7 million refugees and IDPs have been accommodated in the Region. The Kurdistan Regional Government has done and will do whatever it can to assist them, despite the fact that the Region faces a very difficult financial situation.”

Commenting on the oil issue, Prime Minister Barzani said, “the sole route of exporting the Kurdistan Region’s oil to the international market is through Turkey, and if the pipeline is sabotaged or damaged, it would cause significant losses for the Region.” He called upon those responsible to cease their destructive actions, saying the pipeline is the main source of the Kurdistan Region’s livelihood. Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed that in the meetings with Turkish officials, the KRG has asked for further security tightening of the Kurdistan-Ceyhan pipeline.

On the Kurdistan Region Presidency issue, Prime Minister Barzani said, “The message of Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani was clear, and all sides must work to reach an agreement over the issue.”

Answering a question about the four parties’ proposal to elect the Region’s President either by the parliament or by the people’s direct vote, Prime Minister Barzani said that the proposal is not coherent, as the parties suggest that the president, when elected by the people’s direct vote, must hold less power than when he is elected by the parliament, while it should be the opposite.

Prime Minister Barzani said that the issue of the Kurdistan Region presidency is not related to President Masoud Barzani and “in his latest message he urged the political sides to reach a realistic solution which is in the interest of the Kurdistan people.”

He expressed his hope that political parties will adopt a realistic approach and that the next meeting on 6 October 2015 will bring a resolution in the interest of the people of the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding institutional reforms, Prime Minister Barzani said that since the formation of the eighth cabinet, the KRG has undertaken reform tasks at KRG ministries and institutions. He reiterated that reform efforts must continue.

He also shed light on the possible liberation of Mosul, saying that “liberation of Mosul is very important for the security of the Kurdistan Region, but until now there is no serious plan.  When such a plan is ready, the Kurdistan Region will decide to engage its Peshmerga forces or not.”

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani attended the consecration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa, the new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in Saint Yohana Church in Ainkawa-Erbil.

The ceremony was also attended by representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, representatives of the President of Iraq and Iraqi Prime Minister, and the Iraqi Council of Representatives.  Also attending, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, a number of ministers and members of the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament, and officials of the Kurdistan Region. The ceremony also included representatives of diplomatic missions in the Kurdistan Region, and a number of religious figures and dignitaries of the Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa spoke of the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to the Middle East at Erbil as an important and sacred event.

He highlighted the role played by the Kurdistan Region in protecting Christians and promoting religious and ethnic coexistence. He praised Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in protecting the rights of ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among Christian churches, particularly at this moment.

He expressed his wish that security and prosperity will return to Iraq, and that religious, cultural and ethnic diversity will be protected.

Following a banquet lunch which was served in honor of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa in Saad Abdulla Hall in Erbil, the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his support and wish for success of the Assyrian Church of the East, and that it plays its role in returning peace to the region during these difficult times.

Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi described the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to Erbil as a significant and historic event. He expressed his and the Governorate's full support to the Assyrian Church of the East.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received His Beatitude Archbishop Aprem Mooken, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in India and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of bishops of the Assyrian Church of the East.

The delegation has visited Kurdistan Region to hold elections to designate a new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

In the meeting, the security situation of the Region and the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in Syria and Iraq were discussed.

The delegation expressed its, and the believers’ appreciation to the Kurdistan Region, praising the role of Peshmerga forces in defending territories and all the communities of the Kurdistan Region.

The members of the delegation also expressed their appreciation to the people and the government of Kurdistan Region who have opened doors for victims of terrorism from various religious and ethnic origins, especially those Christians, including the believers of the Assyrian Church of the East, who have fled from Syria and other parts of Iraq and sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

The delegation expressed its gratitude to the Kurdistan regional Government, KRG, for its support to build a Church for believers of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil, hailing the role of the KRG Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the people and government of Kurdistan Region respect all ethnic and religious communities. He said that despite enduring financial difficulties, the KRG has been providing assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people.

He also reiterated KRG’s support for building a Church for believers of Assyrian Church of the East, stressing that the government will provide all assistance for the implementation of the project.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out the role of the Peshmerga forces in their fight against ISIS, stressing that they defend humanity, freedom, territories and peoples of the region, on behalf of the entire world.

He described the war against ISIS as a significant and uneasy challenge. He said, only by military means, ISIS cannot be defeated; rather it needs to be countered by cultural and educational tools.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that the new generation must be educated according to principles of coexistence and tolerance.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Barzani received a delegation from the Assyrian Church of the East today at his office in Salahadin. The delegation was headed by a special envoy from Mar Dinkha IV, the current Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

During the meeting the delegation expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region for its efforts against the terrorists of the ISIS. The delegation also conveyed a message of peace from Mar Dinkha IV and expressed, on his behalf the Church's appreciation for the Kurdistan Region's management of the current IDP crisis facing the Region.

President Barzani reiterated his stance of coexistence to the delegation and added that the Kurdistan Region is home to all religious minorities without exception. President Barzani also stated that the Kurdistan Region has been home to Muslims, Christians and Yezidis for centuries and that ISIS would not be able to alter that way of life.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received a delegation representing Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, to discuss latest developments and the situation of displaced Christian families sheltered in Kurdistan.

The delegation was led by Mar Meelis Zaia, Archbishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, who conveyed the Patriarch’s greetings and expressed gratitude to the Kurdistan Region for all the aid and support extended to the displaced Christians. He said that the incidents over the past weeks have been tragic and a bitter experience, but said that it is temporary and hopefully will soon be over.

Members of the delegation discussed relations among the various religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan and nearby areas, stressing the historic bonds between Kurds and Christians. They hailed the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence shared by different communities throughout Kurdistan because Kurds, too, have endured similar struggles. The Archbishop expressed confidence that the culture of harmonious coexistence would remain and that this legacy would continue.

Prime Minister Barzani also highlighted Kurdistan’s culture of tolerance, explaining that the various communities in Kurdish society are important and peaceful coexistence is an essential principle for the people of Kurdistan, who have always valued their diverse communities. He added that the events that have recently befallen Christians and other minorities are absolutely tragic and emphasised that all communities stand together in this fight – all are committed to remain together, as the future is shared by all of the people of Kurdistan.

The Prime Minister noted the special place of the Christian community in Kurdistan’s society. The tragic incidents of the past weeks have been awful, and this has encouraged all components of society to work harder to build a better future for everyone in Kurdistan. He reassured members of the delegation that the KRG and the people of Kurdistan are exerting every effort to provide safety, security, and dignity to members of all communities.

Finally, members of the delegation restated that internationally they have always called for further support for the Kurdistan Region and its government to promote prosperity, investment, and a better quality of life in the Region. The Archbishop also reiterated his community’s gratitude and appreciation for the role of the Peshmerga forces and their sacrifices, adding that everyone is proud of them and that their actions will not be forgotten.