Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – In the presence of the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Ambassador of the European Union in Iraq Jana Hybaskova, Head of KRG Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa, several KRG ministers and members of the diplomatic community, today the European Union Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil, Kurdistan Region was officially opened.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini and Ambassador Hybaskova for their important role in the opening of the EU liaison office in Erbil.

“We seek the support of the EU to enhance our system of governance and we believe that the Kurdistan Region is entitled to receive its fair share of assistance from the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on 11th of May, 2012,” Prime Minister Barzani added.

The KRG Prime Minister expressed appreciation and gratitude of the people and the government of Kurdistan to the members of EU for their military and political support during this challenging time. He also called upon the EU members to continue supporting the KRG in dealing with the humanitarian and security challenges facing the region.

The Prime Minister also called for the moral and political support of the EU to the KRG’s effort to gain international recognition of the crimes committed against Yezidi Kurds and other components as acts of genocide. He said, “The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the mass atrocities committed against Yezidi Kurds and other components.”

Ambassador Hybaskova expressed her delight at the opening of the EU Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil and stressed that the opening of the office will be a step forward to further strengthen ties between the EU and the Kurdistan Region.

The EU Ambassador to Iraq highly praised the role of Peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS and stated, “The Peshmerga forces are the real force and the only effective force on the ground fighting the ISIS terrorists.”

Commenting on the opening of the EU Office in Erbil, Minister Mustafa said, “We thank the EU for responding positively to the need of opening an office in the Kurdistan Region. We would like to see increased engagement from the EU to support the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional government during this challenging time.”

The Minister also expressed the readiness of the Department of Foreign Relations to fully support the EU mission in Kurdistan Region and to facilitate further cooperation between the KRG and the EU.

Patrick Geysen, Head of the EU Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil stated, “I will do my best to deepen and strengthen the already existing ties between the EU and the Kurdistan Region.”

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, EU ambassador to Iraq Jana Hybaskova, and their accompanying delegation.

The EU officials expressed their appreciation to the people and government of Kurdistan Region, which has accommodated and offered assistance to a large number of refugees and internally displaced people, IDP’s, despite the Region's financial difficulties.

They reiterated their support and assistance to the Kurdistan Region, stressing that they will work for increasing international assistance in order to help easing the Region's financial burden.

In a post on his twitter account, Mr. Christos Stylianides said, “We're committed to support impressive generosity of KRG to IDPs and refugees”.

In the meeting with the Prime Minister, the EU delegation also hailed the role of the Peshmerga forces that have been able to repulse Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, forces, and protect the region's population from various religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the EU officials for their visit, and demanded that they covey the reality of situation in the Region to the related European and international organizations. He called for further assistance to the refugees and IDPs, directly or through the international and local aid agencies.

He praised Ambassador Hybaskova’s role, who frequently visits Kurdistan Region and closely observers the situation on the ground, saying this demonstrates the importance that the European Union accords to the Kurdistan Region.

The two sides also discussed the recent developments in Iraq and the region in general.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, received Federica Mogherini, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and her accompanying delegation at Erbil International Airport upon her arrival yesterday.

In a meeting between the two sides, Ms. Mogherini congratulated the people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces for the victories they have achieved in Sinjar area.

She said that during her visit to Baghdad, she had also congratulated the Iraqi President and Iraqi Prime Minister on the occasion of these victories. She stated that the victories of the Peshmerga in Sinjar areas are important both for the moral of the Peshmerga forces and that of the international community.

Both sides discussed the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, and stressed that it poses a threat to humanity and that it is essential to confront it in all its forms.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the fight against ISIS could not be achieved only by military means. It should also be tackled both intellectually and ideologically, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the international coalition and its support, both humanitarian and military, provided to the Kurdistan Region. He also praised the vital role played by the coalition air force in supporting the Peshmerga forces.

Whilst the Prime Minister thanked Ms. Mogherini for European Union’s support, he asserted that the Peshmerga forces need further military assistance, particularly heavy weapons and military training.

In this regard, present at the meeting, the KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Mustafa Sayid Qadir highlighted the latest military developments in the war against ISIS and the needs and requirements of the Peshmerga forces.

Ms Mogherini emphasized that their efforts will continue to ensure that the Peshmerga are supported and assisted in all respects.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the plight of over 1.5 million displaced people and refugees, who fled ISIS violence and took refuge in Kurdistan Region. He called on the European Union to intensify its efforts to encourage members of the Union and the international community to be more active in regards to the plight of the displaced persons and their dire need for further assistance. He also called on the Federal Government of Iraq to provide further assistance in order to alleviate their suffering.

The two sides also discussed the recent agreement concluded early this month between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq on oil export and budgetary issues, Kurdistan relations with its neighbours and the repercussions of the war on terrorism in the region.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (krg.org) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Monday received a European Union delegation headed by Mr. Hugues Mingarelli, the Managing Director for North Africa, Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq at the European External Action Service, along with EU officials and the EU Ambassador to Iraq.

The delegation discussed the military, security and humanitarian situation in the Kurdistan Region and highlighted their aim to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Region and the European Union. Long-term energy cooperation was also discussed.

The delegation fully appreciates the Kurdistan Region faces very serious security challenges and is in the forefront of the fight against terrorism. The Region as host to displaced people and its role in providing humanitarian assistance were commended.  The EU delegation reiterated its support during this period of exceptional security and humanitarian need.

The EU delegation’s visit to Baghdad was also discussed noting that it urged the Iraqi Government to include all Iraqi communities in the political process, increase decentralization of political and economic authority to the regions and provinces in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution, and to resolve issues with the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani lauded the role of the EU in supporting the fight against terrorism and stressed requirements for more enhanced, heavy weaponry and training. Cooperation and coordination with Turkey in facilitating Iraqi Peshmerga to reinforce Kobani with heavy weapons was also discussed.

With the start of winter rains and decreasing temperatures the desperate plight of an overwhelming number of displaced people who have sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region was featured in the discussions.  Prime Minister Barzani affirmed, despite limited resources, the people and the KRG have welcomed and offered help and support to all who have been forced to leave their homes and will continue to do so.

It is noted that 20% of the more than 1.4 million displaced people in the Kurdistan Region are refugees from Syria for which more humanitarian assistance is urgently required from the international community. 80% are internally displaced persons, IDPs, from areas of Iraq outside the Kurdistan Region, including Arab Sunnis from Anbar Province adjacent to Baghdad, and Christians and Yezidis from neighboring Nineveh Province.

It is in the mutual interests of both the Kurdistan Region and the EU to develop closer relations, to improve relations with neighboring and regional countries, and to resolve outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (DFR.krg.org) – The political chief of the European Union’s delegation to Iraq, Mr Charles Stuart, met with the Head of the KRG Foreign Relations Department Minister Falah Mustafa to discuss the latest humanitarian, military, and political developments and to express the EU’s continued support for Kurdistan.

Mr Stuart said, “In the context of the current crisis in Iraq, the EU delegation in Baghdad has been tasked by Brussels to gather information and analysis on the military situation and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s need for military assistance to cope with the ISIS threat.”

He conveyed the determination of EU member states to continue support for the Kurdistan Region in terms of humanitarian assistance and the fight against ISIS terrorism. He added, “We salute the resilience of the Kurdistan Region in the face of the current security, humanitarian, and financial challenges facing the Kurdish people. The Kurdistan Region has sheltered hundreds of thousands of members of religious minorities and has been effectively fighting a terrorist organisation that poses an international threat.”

Because the Kurdistan Region faces many challenges simultaneously, “The EU has decided to expand its scope of military and humanitarian engagement in the Kurdistan Region,” Mr Stuart said.

Minister Mustafa welcomed the further engagement of the European Union, stating, “Members of the European Union have played a crucial role in galvanizing humanitarian and military assistance for the Kurdistan Region by communicating the KRG’s message to the international community with appropriate urgency. The government and the people of the Kurdistan Region are grateful for these actions.”

Minister Mustafa briefed the delegation on the latest developments and the formation of Iraq’s new government. He said, “Our participation in the new Iraqi government has once again demonstrated to our friends in the international community that the Kurdish leadership is willing to solve problems with Baghdad through negotiation and dialogue.”

Colonel Rupert Pulvertaft, Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the EU Military Staff, Ms Evija Kravcenko, Advisor to the Crisis Response Managing Director, and Karwan Jamal, Deputy Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations also attended the meeting.
 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Iraq 

August 14, 2014

The European Union.

Kurdistan Region has been an outstanding model of stability, democracy and peaceful coexistence in Iraq during the last decade. Kurdistan has been a safe haven for all Iraqi components such as, Arabs, Turkomen, Christians, and others. Since 2006, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi internally displaced people have taken shelter in Kurdistan fleeing violence and bloodshed in the other parts of Iraq. 

Currently, this safe haven is under a serious danger by the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS). Last week, the ISIS militants launched a wide spread attack against the Kurdistan Region territories, especially in Sinjar, which is dominantly inhabited by Yazidis and areas to the east and north part of the city of Mosul, which have been the homeland of Christians for thousands of years. The recent ISIS aggression on the Kurdistan Region resulted in the killing of hundreds of people and displacement of around one million people. 

Despite facing serious humanitarian and security challenges, the Iraqi government has only played a very limited role in supporting the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and alleviating the suffering of the refugees and IDPs. Thus, the KRG is under huge humanitarian and security pressure. The KRG is doing whatever it can to provide humanitarian relief for the refugees and IDPs and at the same time the Kurdish Peshmerga forces are fighting ISIS militants on behalf of the world. While we appreciate the support we have received from our friends and allies, we call upon international community to provide further humanitarian and military assistance. 

The Kurdistan Region Government respectfully requests the members of the European Union to urgently come forward and offer humanitarian aids to the IDPs who have taken refuge in the Kurdistan region. It is worth mentioning that the displaced people are suffering severely due to the lack of shelter, food and other basic needs. Urgent aids are needed to save lives of thousands of people. We also call upon the members of the EU to provide the peshmarga forces with necessary arms to deter ISIS offences and protect civilians and displaced people. The Kurdish forces are in an asymmetrical warfare against an organized and well-armed terrorist group. With no doubt, rapid equipment of Peshmarga forces with heavy and sophisticated weapons will change the equation in the battlefield in favor of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. 

We hope that the members of the European Union will urgently and positively respond to our request. 

Sincerely, 

Fuad Hussein 
Chief of Staff
Kurdistan Region Presidency