Kurdistan Regional (738)
Kurdistan Region's Presidency's Statement on the New U.S. Strategy towards ISIS
Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- A statement was released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency today regarding the new outlined strategy by the Obama administration vis-a-vis the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS. The statement commences by stating that the terror displayed by ISIS is not only a threat against Iraq and Syria but rather against the free world in its entirety.
The statement also states that the Kurdistan Region Presidency finds pride in the fact that the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Region are in the forefront of the war against terrorism, a war which not only affects the people of the Kurdistan Region, but also the free world as a whole.
President Obama's new strategy of taking ISIS as a direct enemy and launching a campaign against the Islamic State, the statement says is welcomed and appreciated by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, and that such actions should be undertaken by other anti-terrorism forces in the free world. The new U.S. strategy will certainly work towards weakening the ISIS with the ultimate aim of eradication.
The Kurdistan Region has witnessed displacement of tens of thousands of Yezidi, Christian and Turkmen citizens in the recent months as a direct result of the terrorism of ISIS. The statement adds that the Kurdistan Region has allocated and shall continue to allocate its financial and other resources in its war against terrorism.
French President Hollande Visits Erbil, Meets President Barzani
Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed French President François Hollande in Erbil on Friday.
After his arrival in Erbil, President Hollande and President Barzani visited a refugee camp in a district in Erbil, and later held a meeting. President Hollande, the first foreign head of state to visit Erbil, was accopamnbied by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabios and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Following their meeting with President Barzani and KRG officials, the two Presidents held a joint press conference.
President Hollande said France would continue to provide humanitarian and military aid to Kurdistan in its fight against ISIS terrorists. He said that as the Kurdistan Region is at the forefront of the fight against ISIS terrorists, a delegation from Kurdistan is invited to attend an international conference, due in Paris next week, designed to coordinate international effort to confront threat posed by ISIS terrorists.
The French President also highly praised the role of the Peshmerga forces in this fight and pledged increased military aid to the Peshmerga forces.
President Barzani described the visit to Kurdistan by President Hollande as historic and thanked the president and people of France for standing by the people of Kurdistan in their hour of need, saying that France was first EU country to come to the aid of Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS terrorists. He also added that thanks to the support by France and other countries, the Peshmrega forces are now taking the fight to ISIS and have the upper hand. President Barzani vowed that the Kurdistan Region would continue to fight until the ISIS terrorist group is uprooted and destroyed.
President Barzani Receives an Assyrian Church of the East Delegation
Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Barzani received a delegation from the Assyrian Church of the East today at his office in Salahadin. The delegation was headed by a special envoy from Mar Dinkha IV, the current Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.
During the meeting the delegation expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region for its efforts against the terrorists of the ISIS. The delegation also conveyed a message of peace from Mar Dinkha IV and expressed, on his behalf the Church's appreciation for the Kurdistan Region's management of the current IDP crisis facing the Region.
President Barzani reiterated his stance of coexistence to the delegation and added that the Kurdistan Region is home to all religious minorities without exception. President Barzani also stated that the Kurdistan Region has been home to Muslims, Christians and Yezidis for centuries and that ISIS would not be able to alter that way of life.
Deputy Prime Minister Talabani discusses security and humanitarian crisis with Canadian Foreign Minister
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani yesterday met with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird and his accompanying delegation to discuss the current situation and Canada’s military and humanitarian assistance.
The Foreign Minister applauded the Kurdistan Region for combating terrorism and providing humanitarian aid for the displaced. He described the acts committed by the terrorists against civilians and the Kurdistan Region as tragic.
The visiting delegation reiterated Canada’s continuous support for the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the terrorists and its efforts to provide humanitarian aid for the displaced.
Deputy Prime Minister Talabani applauded Canada’s provision of humanitarian and military aid and hailed the role of Canada’s Ambassador to Iraq. He stressed that the Kurdistan Region is fighting terrorism on behalf of the whole world.
KRG Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, Chief of Staff to the President of the Kurdistan Region, Dr Fuad Hussein, and other officials also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Barzani praises Canada for actively supporting Kurdistan
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Canada’s Ambassador Bruno Saccomani to discuss the recent visit of the Canadian Foreign Minister to Erbil and discuss the latest humanitarian and security developments.
Prime Minister Barzani conveyed his government’s gratitude to Canada for its important role in providing humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region to help alleviate the crisis and assist the displaced, noting the successful visit of Canada’s Foreign Minister last week. The Prime Minister appreciated that Canada was among the first countries to come forward and support the Kurdistan Region in its fight against terrorism.
The Prime Minister and the Ambassador discussed the international effort to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorists and the establishment of an international coalition against the terrorists. Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the NATO coalition to combat the terrorists that followed the initiative of the United States, adding that he hoped the outcome of such a coalition would lead to tangible results on the ground.
Ambassador Saccomani commended the Peshmerga forces, fighting terrorist on all fronts, for their courage and for their victories over the past several days. Prime Minister Barzani explained that the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region are proud of their Peshmerga forces and urged the international community to support the Peshmerga in every way possible so that they are fully equipped to fight the terrorist militants.
Finally, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Canada. The Prime Minister lauded Ambassador Saccomani’s role in furthering this relationship. The Ambassador noted that a Canadian trade delegation would visit Kurdistan early next year to help expand economic relations, an initiative welcomed by Prime Minister Barzani.
European Union expands scope of military and humanitarian engagement in Kurdistan
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.
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