The former Prime Minister appreciated the role of the Peshmerga forces in fighting a terrorist organization that poses a serious threat to international peace and security.

 

Regarding French support for Kurdistan, Mr Fillon said, “France’s decision to support Kurdistan was the right decision but the support needs to be expanded and expedited, because the Islamic State is not only a regional but also an international threat as well. It is a threat against civilization.”

 

Minister Mustafa thanked Mr Fillon for his visit and expression of support at this important time. He said, “At critical stages in our recent history the people, government, and leadership of France have been supportive of Kurdistan. This was true in 1991 and it is true today, and we are very grateful for the military and humanitarian aid.” He added, “The KRG is determined to fight and defeat the terrorists, but continuous support from the international community is absolutely necessary.” The Minister indicated that the American decision to commence air strikes was a critical turning point in the fight against the militants, also lauding French leadership for responding immediately to the crisis and raising international awareness.

  

Former Prime Minister Fillon praised the KRG for providing a safe haven and humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of displaced members of religious minorities who have taken shelter in Kurdistan. The KRG has called upon the international community to urgently assist in providing for the basic needs of approximately 1.4 million Iraqi IDPs and Syrian refugees currently sheltered in Kurdistan.

 

Minister Mustafa emphasized the necessity of humanitarian and military assistance to support the IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan and also prevent terrorist militants from attacking more civilians. He asked for the support of France in launching an international humanitarian conference in Kurdistan to support the KRG in its efforts to provide for displaced people and refugees, and to advocate for international recognition of the terrorist attacks against the Yezidis, Christian, and other minority groups as acts of genocide. The Minister also welcomed the French initiative to arrange an international conference on Iraq and hoped that the conference would result in more humanitarian and military assistance for the Kurdistan Region. 

 

 

Regarding minority communities, Minister Mustafa said, “The KRG is determined to protect all religious and ethnic minority groups. Our people and government are proud of Kurdistan’s reputation as a model of peaceful coexistence and tolerance in the Middle East.”

 

In the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of an inclusive and democratic federal government in Baghdad as well as opportunities for French firms and investors in Kurdistan’s free market economy.

 

Several Members of the French Parliament, former French Ministers, and French Consul General Alain Guépratte attended the meeting, as did Deputy Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Karwan Jamal.