Lisbon, Portugal (KRG.org) – The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, led the KRG's first ministerial delegation to Portugal, meeting with a number of key officials from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament and inaugurating the Business Association of Portugal - Kurdistan / Iraq. The KRG Representative to Spain, Mr. Daban Shadala, accompanied Minister Mustafa on the visit.

At the Foreign Ministry the KRG delegation was received by the Secretary of of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Luis Campos Ferreira, the Secretary of State of Portuguese Communities Abroad, Jose Cesario and the Director General for Foreign Policy, Rui Macieira. Mr. Ferreira welcomed the delegation and said, "We have a number of issues of common interest to discuss, so I am thankful for your visit to Portugal and to our Ministry." He added, "It is very important to have Portuguese companies working in Kurdistan, which is peaceful and welcoming."

Minister Mustafa expressed his pleasure in conducting the KRG's first high-level official visit to Portugal. He said, "We believe both Portugal and Kurdistan can benefit from a stronger relationship. The KRG would warmly welcome Portuguese diplomatic representation in Kurdistan, and we very much hope you consider this possibility in the near future." For his part, Mr. Ferreira urged the KRG to establish a representation office in Lisbon.

Mr. Sergio Sousa Pinto, Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, also received the delegation. Minister Mustafa emphasized the importance of international relations for the KRG, explaining, "We want to expand our relations with the international community, particularly in order to benefit from the technology and expertise of other countries. Based on this, we can build a mutually beneficial relationship."

Chairman Pinto welcomed the message, asking a number of questions regarding the progress and opportunities in Kurdistan. The KRG delegation urged the Portuguese Parliament to recognize the crimes committed against the Kurds by the former regime as genocide, and suggested a parliamentary fact-finding visit to Kurdistan to explore greater cooperation. Minister Mustafa also held a meeting with parliamentarians from several parties, promoting the establishment of an all-party parliamentary group to support Portugal's relationship with Kurdistan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a signing ceremony to officially inaugurate the newly established Business Association of Portugal - Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Association is designed to enhance future cooperation, build commercial and economic bridges, and promote partnerships among private sector entities in Portugal and Kurdistan. The ceremony was attended by Minister Mustafa, Mr. Cesario, Mr. Shadala, and a representative from the Iraqi Embassy in Lisbon.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) - Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with director of Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry, Mr. Jean-François Girault.

The meeting between the President and the French official focused on bilateral relations, the humanitarian situation of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, the impact of Syrian conflict on Iraq, and disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over budget and energy exports.

Mr. Girlaut hailed the stability and economic developments in Kurdistan and added that this progress in such a volatile and problematic region is remarkable. He expressed his hope that the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections would lead to a resolution of the problems facing the country.

President Barzani said his is pleased with the status of the KRG relations with France and hoped that these ties will continue to grow.

On disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, the President said that the source of the problems in Iraq is lack of adherence to the constitution and monopolization of power. As a result, he said, Iraq is far from a proper state, and its people suffer from lack of security and lack of basic services.

The President expressed his hope that after the new elections in April, there would be prospects for the resolution of the problems facing Iraq.

Salahadin,Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (KRP.org)- Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkey's new ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Farouq Qaemakchi at his office in Salahadin today. During the meeting the President and the Turkish Ambassador discussed bilateral relations and exchanged their views on the latest developments in Iraq.

Ambassador Qaemakchi stated his optimism on the situation and hoped for a brighter future for Iraq and continued brotherly relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. The Ambassador made note of what he described as the "historic" visit to Diyarbakir by the President last November and said that that visit "broke a number of barriers."

President Barzani wished him success at his new post and hoped for a continuation of the good relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

On the dispute with Baghdad over energy exports, the President stated that the KRG energy policy is completely in line with the Iraqi constitution and that the KRG has the right to develop its energy sector.

He attributed the current political and security problems to the wrong policies of the rulers of Iraq. He also criticized the Iraqi government's decision to withhold the KRG share of the budget, including the salaries of KRG staff, saying that this amounts to a declaration of war on the people of the Kurdistan Region.