Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org), President Masoud Barzani held a meeting with a delegation from the Czech Republic today. The delegation was attended by members of the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic in the Kurdistan Region and was headed by Mr. Jan Fulik, the Special Representative of the President of the Czech Republic.

During the meeting Mr. Fulik and President Barzani discussed the current political and security developments in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the greater Middle East region. President Barzani expressed optimism for a brighter future for the Kurdistan Region, adding that the fight against the terrorists of the Islamic State are being defeated by the Peshmega forces in a number of fronts.

On his part Mr. Fulik expressed his support on behalf of the government of the Czech Republic to the Peshmerga forces. Mr. Fulik also delivered an invitation for President Barzani to visit the Czech Republic and explore further avenues of cooperation between the two sides.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude for the support of the Czech Republic and accepted the invitation to visit the country at mutually convenient time.

Dr. Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad in a response to question concerning the roots of the emergence of ISIS believes the roots of it should be sought in its roots.

The root of the emergence of ISIS is the central government of Iraq fault of neglecting democracy strategies and of not considering ballots and thoughts of groups. By this way of the government not only the former problems were not solved, but also caused lots of new problems of which the most important one was ISIS. Dr.Ahmad also believes that after 80 or 90 years established of Iraq government it was tried to form a democratic structure, but despite of the declaration of the Constitutes and the potentials of current governors of Iraq there is not so difference as compared to the formers.

The deputy-representative of KRG in Iran said that the most important reason of not resisting ISIS was public discontent among Sunnite, thus it caused them not to confront ISIS. Even some tribes not only resisted but they also supported ISIS. In addition to frightening actions of ISIS, Iraq authorities uncaring concerning the danger of ISIS infiltration in Iraq army and the possibility of some military elements’ betrayal can be deemed as one the reasons for ISIS to get stronger.

Dr. Ahmad considered the occupation of some Kurdish regions abandoned by the Iraq army against ISIS as the protection of those regions. Indeed these regions are Kurdish and under the KRG and the government dispute. But as the army escaped the regions got endangered by ISIS so Pishmerga forces presented in there to halt ISIS from occupying. Besides he knew ISIS limited infiltration in the Kurdish region for their being equipped with heavy weapons as Pishmergas having just light ones and for possible mismanagements.

Dr. Ahmad also mentioned the civilization ties between Iran and Kurds and said Iran’s help was on time and got appreciated by the president of the region. Nevertheless he believes that Turkey’s position to ISIS will not cause to be put aside from the KRG’s foreign policy, but the KRG wants to keep balance on its foreign policy. Furthermore in a part of his phrases he mentioned America’s attack against ISIS and said these attacks were workable to ISIS to withdraw.

Dr. Ahmad in response to the questions considered Jalal Talibani as a fighter leader and qualified president of Kurd, Masoud Barzani as the symbol of freedom, peace and democracy of Kurdistan nation, Ayatollah Sistani as the respected and impressive personification of the Islamic world, Ammar Hakim as the reminder of moderate leadership of Shia, Fuad Masum As the revolutionary and experienced politician and Ghasem Soleimani as a very powerful and impressive personification in foreign policy of Iran. At last Dr. Ahmad expressed hope concerning ISIS to be defeated and peace to return the country.      

President Masoud Barzani today met with US Senator John McCain in Erbil to discuss bilateral relations and the fight against ISIS terrorists.

Senator McCain said the purpose of his visit to Kurdistan is to see firsthand the situation on the ground, particularly with regard to the fighting with ISIS terrorists. He commended the role of President Barzani and the peshmerga forces for inflicting heavy defeats on the ISIS terrorists, adding that the US government and people would continue to back Kurdistan in this fight.

President Barzani thanked the United States government and people for their continued support to Kurdistan. He also thanked the United States for its support of the joint effort by the peshmerga and local fighters in the Syrian Kurdish city of Kobane to defend the city.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi spoke by phone with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Friday to congratulate the President and the peshmerga forces for their recent gains against the ISIS terrorists, particularly in successfully breaking the siege of Mount Sinjar.

The Iraqi Prime Minster also reiterated Iraqi government’s full support to the efforts of the peshmerga forces in the fight against terrorism and underlined the importance of stronger cooperation between the two sides in this effort.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Salahaddin today. The President and the EU’s foreign policy chief discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists, including recent peshmerga gains in Sinjar, and the plight of hundreds of thousands of IDPs in Kurdistan.

Following their meeting, the two held a joint press conference, in which Federica Mogherini congratulated President Barzani for the recent victories by the peshmerga against the ISIS terrorists, especially in Sinjar district. She said the purpose of her visit to Kurdistan is to find out how the EU can further support Kurdistan in this fight, adding that the EU would ask its member states to continue to provide both military and humanitarian aid to Kurdistan.

The EU High Representative said that Kurdistan has scored three victories: the recent military successes against the ISIS terrorists, a psychological victory that ISIS can be defeated, and thirdly that Kurdistan has shown to the world that it is possible for different communities to live together in peace.

President Barzani thanked the EU and the international coalition countries for their military and humanitarian support for Kurdistan, and added that this support further strengthens the resolve of the peshmerga forces in their fight against the biggest and most vicious terrorist organization. The President said that it is a source of pride for the peshmerga to be fighting this terrorist organization on behalf of the whole world.

Link to their joint press conference.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the US Senator, Pat Roberts.

Senator Roberts expressed his pleasure for visiting the Kurdistan Region, particularly as the visit coincides with the victories marked by Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and its environs.

The Senator stressed that the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, poses a threat to peace and stability and its barbaric acts make it an enemy of mankind and needs to be defeated and eradicated.

He also stressed the importance of the relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region and further strengthening them, including through the increase of US aid to Kurdistan that would help to defeat terrorism.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for Senator Roberts views and stances, and briefed him on the latest political and military developments in the fight against ISIS and Peshmerga forces victories, particularly in the Mount Sinjar.

He also stressed that although the Peshmerga had made significant progress, they need heavy weaponry and more training in order to maintain the region secured. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the United States and the international coalition for their military support and air strikes, which helped Peshmerga forces to achieve these victories.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the conditions of the displaced people, particularly the Yezidis and Christians who fled to the Kurdistan Region, where the Kurdistan people and its government have provided them with as much assistance as possible as well as the provision of security.

He also stressed that the KRG will continue providing assistance to the internally displaced persons for as long as they stay in the Kurdistan Region. He stated that, however, there is no doubt that they are in dire need of greater assistance from the international community. 

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, (krg.org) - KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today received Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, accompanied by Mr. Nikolay Mladenov, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, and several UN officials.

Mr. Eliasson conveyed the gratitude of the United Nations and the international community to the Kurdistan people and their government for welcoming and hosting over 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. He offered his condolences to the families of Kurdistan Region’s security forces, including the peshmerga, who lost their lives in protecting civilians against ISIS’ ruthless aggression.

The situation in Kobane and sending Peshmarga forces to the town and KRG’s support against ISIS aggression were among the topics discussed in the meeting.

KRG's role in restricting and reducing the threat of ISIS aggression in Iraq was also discussed. Prime Minister Barzani outlined the latest developments of the fight against terrorism. He noted that peshmerga forces along a 1,000-kilometer front are fighting not only for the  Kurdistan Region but also on behalf of the world.

It was mutually acknowledged that resolving the ISIS issue requires not only effective military efforts, but also efforts that accept and sincerely invite all Iraqis to participate in a political process that is genuinely inclusive.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the importance of Kurdistan Region’s role in the national political process as essential and effective. He noted that a stable Iraq is also essential for Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed KRG support for Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi’s government and that it wishes to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue. He thanked the UN for supporting formal negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad during the formation of the government.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated Kurdistan’s requirements of substantial humanitarian and military support from the international community to reduce suffering of more than 1.5 million displaced people and to prevent further ISIS’ aggression.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (krg.org) – The Kurdistan Region Government's Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, received on Tuesday Mr. Dionysios Kivitos, Ambassador of Greece to Iraq, on his first visit to the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani and Ambassador Kivitos discussed the military and security situation in Iraq and the importance of the international coalition in confronting terrorism. They also highlighted the role of Kurdistan Regional Government Peshmerga forces in the war against terror.

Also discussed was the Kurdistan Region being the primary haven in Iraq for internally displaced persons, IDPs, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Arab Sunnis from Anbar Governorate. The Region is host to over 1.4 million IDPs and Syrian refugees. 

Recent rains and lower temperatures have made life even more difficult for displaced people in many locations where winterized shelter remains inadequate. Despite generous support from many sources, immediate requirements have yet to be fully met.

Ambassador Kivitos highlighted his tour to Duhok Governorate where he visited IDPs and refugees. He noted the Government of Greece’s humanitarian assistance through the EU and other organizations of the international community, and reaffirmed his government’s continuing support. Prime Minister Barzani conveyed the gratitude of the people of the Kurdistan Region and the KRG for Greece’s important generosity.

Greek investment in the Kurdistan Region was also discussed in the meeting. Prime Minister Barzani and Ambassador Kivitos affirmed their mutual intention to strengthen commercial relations between the two sides.

Ambassador Kivitos pointed out that it would no longer be necessary for people in the Kurdistan Region to visit the Embassy of Greece in Baghdad to obtain Greek and Schengen visas. He also informed that in the near future a Greek airline would offer direct flights between Greece and Erbil.