Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received a delegation of Christian patriarchs to discuss the situation in Kurdistan and Iraq and the plight of internally displaced people.

Christian delegation appreciates KRG protection for minorities

The delegation was led by Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros al-Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and the East, and included several Catholic and Assyrian patriarchs, bishops, and Christian officials representing the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and global communities.

The delegation applauded the KRG for coming to the rescue of the Christians in Mosul and the Ninevah plains, as well as accommodation for Christians that have fled central and southern parts of the country and taken refuge in the Kurdistan Region. Members of the delegation noted that Christians recognised the safety and security in the Region and it has brought them hope.

Members of the delegation emphasised the importance of sharing details of the crimes perpetrated against the Christians and other minorities with the Vatican and with Washington, and sought international aerial protection for Christians, Yezidis, Shabak, Turkmen, and other minority communities in the area. This would be necessary to ensure their safety and allow them to return home. The delegation also praised the people and the government of Kurdistan for the aid and support that have been provided for the displaced.

Prime Minister Barzani underscores the need for international involvement

Prime Minister Barzani noted the importance of this visit, which demonstrates the solidarity of the Christian delegation with the various communities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. He said, “The KRG supports minorities and will spare no effort in protecting them. These communities have roots in this area stretching back millennia. However, the KRG cannot resolve the current situation alone, as this fight requires resources beyond our government’s capacity. We are fighting a terrorist state, not just a terrorist organisation.” In this regard, the Prime Minister agreed with the call for international aerial protection for Christians and other minority groups.

The Prime Minister added that even after the fall of the previous regime in 2003, Iraq’s federal government had not contributed whatsoever in providing arms or training to the Peshmerga forces. Iraq had not even sent small arms to use in the fight against the terrorists, who looted the most advanced weaponry from the Iraqi army. The Kurdistan Region’s military capabilities therefore had been quite limited and this had hindered the Peshmerga forces’ ability to combat a terrorist state with access to heavy and advanced weaponry.

Prime Minister Barzani stated that Peshmerga forces are now on the offensive and have retaken several areas, but that this war requires an international coalition. The KRG is therefore liaising with the international community and with Baghdad to defeat the terrorists. He also urged the delegation to discuss the crisis. He said, “Your voices are meaningful in promoting the establishment of an international coalition, and you can play an important role.”

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani:

“We are sad and shocked by the news of the killing of an innocent American photojournalist, Mr James Foley, by a terrorist from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). This was a horrendous act committed with utter disregard for human life and the feelings of Mr Foley’s family, friends, and the entire world.

This act was a blatant demonstration of the behavior and values of the ISIS terrorists and their ideology. This cruel act is difficult to understand.

Like Mr Foley, several hundred innocent members of the Yezidi and Christian communities have been killed in the same manner. There is no way to overstate the extent of this inhumanity, and it illustrates the true, dark nature of the terrorists that we are confronting. I have no doubt that they will be defeated.

I offer my condolences to Mr Foley’s family and the American people. They have lost a brave son who wanted to document the horrible aspects of war and conflict and shed light on their human costs. Mr Foley was a respected professional who risked his life using a camera to share with the world the suffering of civilians and innocent people in Syria.”

Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister
Kurdistan Regional Government
Erbil

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday welcomed Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, the European Union’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva, and a number of European Union officials to Kurdistan to review the current crisis.

Foreign Minister Bildt expressed the full solidarity of Sweden and the European Union with the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the terrorists. He said that he wished to be fully aware of the situation on the ground and to make it clear to everyone that Sweden and the European Union stand with the Kurdistan Region during this difficult time.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the Foreign Minister for his visit, explaining that it sends a positive message to the people of Kurdistan and demonstrates that Kurds are not alone. He provided the delegation with a security update regarding the advances of the Peshmerga forces and said that the KRG is resolved to fight and defeat the terrorists. He stated that the Kurdistan Region’s forces need modern weapons, ammunition, and equipment in their fight against the terrorist group.

The Prime Minister spoke in detail about the dire humanitarian situation facing the internally displaced people and the refugees who have fled to the Kurdistan Region. The KRG seeks international assistance to support the displaced. He noted the KRG policy to fully support and protect all ethnic and religious minorities in the area to the greatest extent possible.

Commissioner Georgieva conveyed the European Union’s commendation for the efforts of the Kurdistan Region to respond to the needs of the internally displaced people and refugees despite the KRG not receiving its share of the federal budget from Baghdad. The support provided by the KRG thus far has proved that the Kurdistan Region deserves international support.

Finally, all parties expressed hope for a rejuvenated Iraqi political process, the formation of a new cabinet, and the beginning of a new political phase in Iraq. All agreed upon the need for an inclusive government that would represent all Iraqis and prompt genuine reform in the country’s political system. 

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Yesterday Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani held meetings with French Ambassador Denis Gauer, Chairman of the British Parliament’s Defence Committee Rory Stewart, and Polish Ambassador Stanislaw Smolen to discuss the current security and humanitarian situation.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to each delegation for the attention and support that has been extended to the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region during this time of crisis.

French Ambassador Gauer pays the Prime Minister a farewell visit

The Prime Minister thanked the French Ambassador for his significant role in expanding bilateral relations between Kurdistan and France throughout his tenure as ambassador in Baghdad, highlighting the crucial political decision taken by the French government to fully support Kurdistan during the current crisis. He wished Ambassador Gauer success in his future postings.

For his part, the Ambassador remarked upon the stability, security and progress achieved in economic and social fields in Kurdistan. He reiterated his country's continuing solidarity with the Kurdistan Region in light of recent events and emphasised that France supports the Kurdistan Region in its efforts to combat terrorism.

Ambassador Gauer recalled key telephone conversations between President François Hollande and President Masoud Barzani, also pointing to the important visit of the French Foreign Minister to Erbil last week and France’s role in urging the international community and European countries to support Kurdistan against the terrorists and provide assistance to the displaced.

Prime Minister Barzani provided an update on the progress of the Peshmerga forces and indicated that the KRG requires more international aid to assist the hundreds of thousands of displaced. The humanitarian crisis is extremely difficult and the relief operations needed are beyond the government’s capacity.

The Prime Minister also suggested convening an international conference for donor countries and international organisations to ensure full coordination of humanitarian assistance for the displaced people and refugees. Most reside in Kurdistan’s cities and urgent, well-coordinated assistance is needed to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

British parliamentarian Rory Stewart receives an update on security and humanitarian progress

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron requested that Member of Parliament Rory Stewart lead a delegation to Erbil to meet with KRG officials and receive an update on the latest security and humanitarian developments. Mr Stewart is the Chairman of the British Parliament’s Defence Select Committee.

Prime Minister Barzani updated the delegation on the recent advances of the Peshmerga forces on all fronts. He also discussed the latest developments regarding the situation of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced Yezidi Kurds from Sinjar, Christians from Mosul and elsewhere, and other displaced ethnic and religious minorities that have taken refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

The Prime Minister restated the difficulty in providing adequate aid, noting that Iraq’s federal government has not provided any assistance and has still not released the Kurdistan Region’s budget, which has been withheld since the beginning of the year. The role of the international community in providing aid is therefore essential.

Both sides stressed the importance of international support for the Kurdistan Region’s fight against the terrorists, and the need for such support to continue, as the terrorists threaten the Kurdistan Region and ethnic and religious minorities in particular. Both agreed upon the need for continuous international aerial protection around Sinjar to prevent terrorist violence against minority civilians.

Prime Minister Barzani said that Iraq’s problems require political solutions. He noted that Iraq has fundamentally changed in character since the terrorists seized the city of Mosul, and therefore a new approach would be necessary to identify and implement solutions. He hoped that Iraq’s new government would bring all Iraqis together, represent the rights and the wishes of all ethnic and religious communities, and learn from the mistakes of the previous administration.

Polish delegation delivers tonnes of humanitarian aid to Kurdistan

Polish Ambassador Stanislaw Smolen and a delegation from Poland’s Foreign Ministry arrived in Erbil with a cargo plane of humanitarian aid for internally displaced people taking refuge in Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Barzani conveyed his government’s gratitude to Poland for supplying the much-needed assistance. He provided the delegation with the latest security update in the Region’s fight against the terrorists, including progress achieved by the Peshmerga forces, and both sides agreed on the need for international support for the KRG in combating the terrorist group.

The Prime Minister indicated that the KRG still seeks support and aid from the international community in general, and Europe in particular, in order to fight the terrorists and meet the basic needs of the displaced.

The Polish Foreign Ministry’s special envoy restated his country's support for Kurdistan and congratulated the Prime Minister on the victories of the Peshmerga forces. He highlighted the emergency meeting of the European Union’s foreign ministers in which Poland reiterated its military and humanitarian support for the Kurdistan Region, adding that Poland has played a crucial role in supporting the KRG.

Prime Minister Barzani commended the delegation for Poland’s stance and called upon other European countries to come forward with military and humanitarian support to help assure Kurdistan’s victory, on behalf of the world, against the terrorists.

The Polish Foreign Ministry’s special envoy emphasised his country’s wish to send more Polish companies and businesspeople to Kurdistan to convey the message that the Region is secure for business, investment, and trade.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and his accompanying delegation.

The Prime Minister noted his appreciation for the visit. Foreign Minister Bassil is the first Foreign Minister of an Arab country to visit the Kurdistan Region since the terrorist attacks began in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The Foreign Minister stressed that he came to the Kurdistan Region to convey his country’s solidarity and support.

Discussions centered on the political situation in Iraq, the impact of terrorists occupying parts of the country, the formation of the new government in Baghdad, and the importance of an inclusive government that represents all components of Iraqi society.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised the need for substantive reform in Iraqi governance and the resolution of outstanding political issues in order to pave the way for a healthy political atmosphere. He said that the Kurdistan Region would participate in Iraq’s political process and negotiations.

The Prime Minister explained that the people of Kurdistan are proud of a culture of coexistence and tolerance that has been practiced in the Region for millennia. The KRG is committed to the protection of this culture and will exert all efforts and resources to ensure its continuation.

Both sides pointed to the importance of bilateral relations, discussing the dynamic presence of the Lebanese community in the Kurdistan Region. They discussed Lebanese involvement in trade, economic activity, development, reconstruction, and investment in the Kurdistan Region and how best to ensure and expand the mutually beneficial relationship.

Finally, the situation of displaced civilians and refugees currently in the Kurdistan Region was discussed. The Prime Minister described the extent of the humanitarian crisis and the need for urgent support from the international community.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday chaired the KRG Council of Minister’s customary weekly meeting to discuss the current situation in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani summarised the events that have taken place over the last two weeks, including the terrorist attacks. He highlighted the situation in Sinjar and the status of displaced Yezidis and Christians, explaining that he has been closely following the KRG response in the Duhok governorate. He indicated that this is a humanitarian crisis and requires international aid and support.

Acts committed against Yezidi Kurds constitute genocide

The Prime Minister emphasised that the crimes committed against the Yezidis by the terrorists constitute genocide by every measure, and these acts are the worst crimes perpetrated against the people of Kurdistan since the Halabja attack and the Anfal campaign. The KRG therefore requests that the Iraqi Council of Representatives formally recognizes the acts committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) against the Yezidi Kurds as genocide and treats the situation accordingly.

International and domestic support

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the United States of America, President Barack Obama, and European countries that responded to the situation and supported the Kurdistan Region. He reiterated that the KRG is receiving full support, as the Region is at the forefront of the world’s fight against terrorism. He added that the whole world must fight this battle together, and that the terrorists should be eliminated from Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of Kurdistan, particularly the people of Duhok and Syrian Kurdish refugees residing in the Kurdistan Region. Despite being victims themselves, they have collected aid and provided support from the first day to assist the displaced people from Sinjar. He urged relevant ministries to assume responsibility for that which is required to assist the displaced. He also thanked the Ministry of Natural Resources for quickly making available the financial support to help relevant government bodies as they assist the displaced.

Peshmerga make steady gains, defense sector to be reformed

Prime Minister Barzani also pointed out that substantive military reform is underway. On the front, the Peshmerga forces are advancing in all locations. He said, “The horizon is bright, and what has happened will prompt us to review our shortcomings and mistakes and pay particular importance to defense sector reform.”

The Minister of Peshmerga Affairs explained that Peshmerga forces and other elements of the security apparatus are confronting the terrorists along the Kurdistan Region border, inflicting severe damage upon the terrorists. He highlighted that the absence of a national and professionally trained force in the Kurdistan Region is a weakness among the Peshmerga forces that must be solved. He also explained that plans to retake all of the locations overtaken by terrorists are currently under study. International support and the arrival of weapons from the United States and Europe continue, and the weapons will be distributed among the Peshmerga forces at the battlefronts based on a plan and according to their requirements.

KRG requires financial assistance to provide basic needs to displaced

The Minister of Finance and Economy requested special budget allocation and flexibility regarding the regular financial guidelines in order to provide urgent necessities to the displaced. He indicated that the humanitarian situation in the Duhok governorate is beyond the capacity of governorate and KRG officials and resources. Despite the difficult economic circumstances facing the Kurdistan Region, the Duhok governorate and local organisations quickly came to the aid of the displaced people, a gesture worthy of commendation. He reiterated that so far government bodies have not received any financial assistance. The necessities are so vast that the KRG should be provided with financial aid in order to support the internally displaced and refugees, he said.

Logistic, health, and educational considerations for the displaced

The Minister of Planning summarised the number and location of IDPs and refugees, indicating that most are in the Duhok governorate. He explained that there are more than 600,000 IDPs and refugees in the province, and 275,000 require immediate accommodation. There is now a census to register the number of displaced people and refugees caused by the recent events in order to issue identity cards and determine their locations and basic needs. The exact numbers remain unclear because they are scattered and reside in different locations because there are not enough camps to accommodate them.

The Minister of Health stated that there are currently no epidemic diseases among IDPs or refugees, but he fears such a situation could arise. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the health of the displaced and assure the provision of clean drinking water. He noted that the federal government is helping the KRG to provide medicine. Pharmaceutical companies are also helping the Ministry by loaning medicine.

The Minister of Education reiterated that accommodation should be provided to the displaced as soon as possible. If the schools currently accommodate them are not cleared before the beginning of the forthcoming academic year, approximately 500,000 students will be affected.

KRG presents highest honor to helicopter pilot al-Tamimi

The Council of Ministers expressed its condolences to the family of helicopter pilot Majid Abdulsalam al-Tamimi, who died in the helicopter crash while rescuing Yezidi civilians and delivering aid on Mount Sinjar. The Council declared that he is to be considered a martyr in the Kurdistan Region, and a statue will be dedicated to him in a public place in Kurdistan to ensure the memory of his actions. A formal letter of condolence will be sent to his family on behalf of the KRG.

Council of Ministers decisions

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani suggested the establishment of a special body to deal with emergencies, and the Council of Ministers decided to form a committee to study the establishment of such a body. It was decided to conduct a census to determine the exact number of IDPs and refugees and provide them with accommodation as soon as possible. The KRG will work with the relevant United Nations agencies in this regard.

The Council of Ministers decided to form a government committee to gather and document photos, video footage, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence in order to register legal action in international courts and assure that ISIS actions in Sinjar and surrounding areas are recognised as genocide. This would be applicable in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and at an international level.

The Council of Ministers applauded the unanimous United Nations Security Council resolution designed to disarm ISIS terrorists and its call to the international community to provide international aerial protection in Sinjar and surrounding areas to protect ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution by the terrorists.

Finally, the Council of Ministers congratulated Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi upon his nomination to form a new Iraqi government, expressing hope that this step can help to settle outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani congratulated current Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon the announcement of preliminary results indicating his victory in Turkey’s presidential elections. Prime Minister Barzani wished Prime Minister Erdogan, the Republic of Turkey, and its citizens continued success.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Turkey’s direct presidential elections will bring forth further development in Turkey, opening new policies and improvements in all fields. He also expressed his wish to see continued development and coordination, in various sectors, in the mutually beneficial relationship between Erbil and Ankara. Finally, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated his hope for a resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey and a successful conclusion to the peace process under the Erdogan presidency.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Barzani and reiterated his wish for further development and expansion in the relationship between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.

Erbil, Kurdistan (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and Italian Consul Carmelo Ficarra on Saturday discussed the bilateral relationship between Italy and the KRG as well as recent developments in Iraq.

Both sides pointed to the importance and mutual benefit of the growing bilateral relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region. The Consul explained that his office plays a key role in serving as a channel for communication and information sharing with his government and Italian firms, regularly providing insight to business representatives and delegations visiting the Kurdistan Region.

He also noted that the Italian government is aware of the security and stability in Kurdistan and that the Region is investor-friendly. Italian companies have dramatically increased their trading activity in Kurdistan in recent years, and more than 100 Italian companies are expected to participate in this year’s Erbil International Fair.

During the meeting the recent developments in Iraq, particularly the security challenges and terror threat caused by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), were discussed. Prime Minister Barzani pointed to the fundamental difference in Iraq’s political and security landscape after the fall of Mosul, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian support for Iraq’s internally displaced people (IDPs). He noted that, regrettably, the Iraqi Government has not taken responsibility for the well being of the displaced nor has it provided assistance for Syrian refugees. The Iraqi Government has also cut the Kurdistan Region’s entire budget, making it extremely difficult for the KRG to cope with the humanitarian crisis.

Consul Ficarra asserted that his country would do its utmost to better understand the situation. He said that Italy will continue, as before, to work with the relevant KRG institutions to assist refugees and the internally displaced, explaining that seven Italian NGOs are currently operating in the field. Prime Minister Barzani appreciated this effort, noting that the international community must come forward to assist refugees and IDPs. The Prime Minister added that the KRG has provided equal protection and assistance to all IDPs, regardless of ethnicity or creed, with the majority of displaced people coming from Mosul and the diverse Ninewa Plains area