Kurdistan Regional

Kurdistan Regional (738)

PM Masrour Barzani receives call from US Secretary of State

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – PM Masrour Barzani spoke by phone today with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. During the call, PM Barzani thanked Secretary Pompeo for his personal support to the Kurdistan Region throughout his tenure.

PM Barzani and Secretary Pompeo had a lengthy exchange about Erbil-Baghdad relations and the budget dispute in particular. In this regard, PM Barzani proposed that the United States and the United Nations join high-level talks to help advance a Constitutional settlement. The PM appreciated Secretary Pompeo’s call for a fair and equitable share of the federal budget for Iraq as a whole, including the Kurdistan Region.

Turning to KRG-US bilateral relations, PM Barzani noted efforts to expand energy cooperation. PM Barzani called on the United States to extend stipend payments to the Peshmerga. He also emphasised the importance of continued USAID technical assistance.

Both also discussed regional security challenges, practical ways to de-escalate tensions on the border between KRG and Northern Syria, and the need to fully implement the Sinjar Agreement to facilitate the return of Yazidis to their ancestral homeland.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2020/december/pm-masrour-barzani-receives-call-from-us-secretary-of-state/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives delegation from Iraqi governorates

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region, December 19, 2020

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received a delegation representing the Iraqi Governorates Coordination Committee (IGCC) headed by the governors of Baghdad, Wasit, and Diwaniyah. Accompanied by a number of local officials, the delegation visited the Kurdistan Region this week to attend a USAID workshop.

Discussions covered the status of public services, and cooperation and coordination among governorates through the committee. Also discussed were administrative and financial difficulties that often lead to disruption of public services in the country.

President Barzani affirmed the importance of cooperation and coordination among governorates. He emphasized the importance of the private sector in advancing the reconstruction process and the economy. As essential to improve public services, he highlighted transferring powers to the local level and supporting domestic and foreign private companies and civil society organizations.

The delegation commended the Kurdistan Region’s private sector experience and expressed hope they could benefit from it.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-delegation-from-iraqi-governorates/

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani addresses Peshmerga Forces on Kurdistan Flag Day

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday took part in a ceremony, held at the Peshmerga’s Zeravani Command Center in Erbil, to commemorate Kurdistan’s Flag Day and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend it.

In his address to Peshmerga fighters and the people of the Kurdistan Region, the Prime Minister said:

“I join our brave Peshmerga fighters and the people of Kurdistan in commemorating Kurdistan’s Flag Day. This flag is a symbol of our struggle, sacrifices, nation and homeland. Thousands of Peshmerga have fallen defending this flag, which was handed over by the late Leader, Qazi Muhammad, to our immortal Leader, Mustafa Barzani. The flag was protected, honoured, and raised atop Kurdistan's mountains. Under the leadership of President Barzani, this flag was and continues to be respected and flown in capitals around the world and anywhere our allies find themselves.

“This flag is an emblem of our nation and homeland, and a symbol of peaceful coexistence for the various religious and ethnic groups living here. It has become a symbol of coexistence for the different nations in Kurdistan, and freedom-lovers who have turned to Kurdistan as the land of peace, freedom, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence between different nationalities.

“It is the duty of each and everyone one of us to honour and respect our flag, and protect the dignity of our homeland. On this occasion, I call on the youth and future generations to remember the sacrifices we have made to preserve the dignity of our nation under this flag. Thousands of Peshmerga fighters and patriots have fallen defending the dignity of our nation, which cannot be bought or sold.

“I commend the Peshmerga Forces for their continued service, sacrifices, and tireless endeavors to protect our flag and honour our martyrs. Today, we are proud to continue serving our nation under this flag.

“I call on all political parties in Kurdistan to unite behind our common goal, protecting our achievements under this flag and ensuring a better life for all communities living in Kurdistan.

“I commend you all for your resilience, and wish you continued success. May Kurdistan’s flag continue to fly with honour and dignity.”

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2020/december/prime-minister-masrour-barzani-addresses-peshmerga-forces-on-kurdistan-flag-day/

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani receives Russian Ambassador to Iraq

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received the Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Maxim Maximov, to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional developments.

During the meeting, both sides emphasised the desire to further explore and strengthen areas of cooperation, notably investment opportunities and trade between the Kurdistan Region and Russia.

The Prime Minister highlighted issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government and their effect on the stability of the region, stressing that federal service wages and financial entitlements to the region should not be used as political leverage nor to harm the people of Kurdistan. He reiterated that the Kurdistan Region stands ready to hold meaningful dialogue with Baghdad to resolve issues on the basis of the constitution.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to stress with the Russian envoy the importance of implementing the Shingal agreement, which would help normalize the situation in that area and facilitate the dignified return of refugees to their ancestral homes.

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Receives High-Level British Delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday met with a high-level British delegation to discuss recent political developments and bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister received James Cleverly, the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, James Heappy, the Minister for the British Armed Forces, and Stephen Hickey, British Ambassador to Iraq to discuss the strengthening of ties between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom.

The British delegation conveyed the British people’s respect and appreciation for the role and bravery of the Peshmerga forces in combatting terrorism in the region to protect those here and abroad. The Prime Minister affirmed that stability in the Middle East is a matter of international security and reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to peace.

The delegation also expressed the United Kingdom’s readiness to strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation with the Kurdistan Region in all areas, including trade and investments.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the United Kingdom standing in solidarity with the Kurdistan Region and for its efforts in helping improve the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government of Iraq. The Prime Minister updated the delegation on ongoing challenges and noted that the Kurdistan Regional Government has fulfilled all of its obligations in the spirit of cooperation.

The Prime Minister affirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government remains committed to reaching a fair and comprehensive agreement with the federal government, within the framework of constitution. He also urged the federal government to carry out its duties and award the region its rights and financial entitlements.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani addresses Kurdistan Economic Forum

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani on Tuesday delivered remarks at the Kurdistan Economic Forum, discussing the Kurdistan Region’s economic challenges and opportunities.

During the virtual roundtable discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Talabani highlighted the importance of taking coordinated global action to overcome economic challenges caused in part by the global pandemic. He also noted the Kurdistan Regional Government remains committed to implementing its reform agenda to strengthen and diversify the Kurdistan Region’s economic infrastructure as it lessens its reliance on oil exports. He underscored that these steps will continue to unlock the Kurdistan Region’s potential as a regional hub for trade and commerce.

The Deputy Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s ongoing support to the private sector, notably in adapting to an evolving workforce and growing opportunities in the agricultural sector. He added that the Kurdistan Regional Government aims for the Kurdistan Region to achieve food security by becoming self-sufficient, as well as capable of satisfying broader regional needs, such as wheat production for Iraq. He also announced that a local sugar-producing factory will begin construction in the near future.

Recognising the importance of ongoing reforms, the Deputy Prime Minister explained how the biometric system will allow for the streamlining and restructuring of the public sector, which will create greater accountability toward the citizens of the Kurdistan Region, adding that the system has so far identified 16,500 cases of misappropriated salaries.

The Deputy Prime Minister also provided an update on efforts to digitise public services, which will help reduce bureaucratic barriers and address irregularities, as well as announced that new regulations are underway to facilitate the registration process for private businesses in the Kurdistan Region.

Before the end of the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that securing a fair and constitutional resolution to outstanding problems with the federal government of Iraq remains a top priority and critical for the stability of the country. He reiterated that the Kurdistan Regional Government is prepared to negotiate a comprehensive power and revenue-sharing agreement on borders and oil and gas exports, having already agreed to an audit of its revenues from the past six years.

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