Kurdistan Regional

Kurdistan Regional (733)

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.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomes the formation of Iraq’s new government

Statement by the Prime Minister

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Following the formation of the new Iraqi government, we congratulate the peoples of Iraq and Prime Minister Dr. Abadi and we wish him success.

We hope that the new Iraqi government will be a government for all, will bring all Iraqis together, and will improve the situation of the country in all aspects. We hope it will be a government capable of addressing outstanding issues, especially regarding the provision of security and safety and the elimination of terror, and will exert all efforts to bring forth prosperity and ensure the provision of services to the people of Iraq.

We hope that Iraq’s new government will learn from the mistakes of the previous cabinet and will take serious steps to resolve disputed issues between Erbil and Baghdad, so that such issues no longer weaken Iraq or contribute to the failure of its governments.

Once again, we wish Iraq’s new government success.

Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government
September 9th, 2014

Prime Minister Barzani meets with Assyrian Church of the East delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received a delegation representing Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, to discuss latest developments and the situation of displaced Christian families sheltered in Kurdistan.

The delegation was led by Mar Meelis Zaia, Archbishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, who conveyed the Patriarch’s greetings and expressed gratitude to the Kurdistan Region for all the aid and support extended to the displaced Christians. He said that the incidents over the past weeks have been tragic and a bitter experience, but said that it is temporary and hopefully will soon be over.

Members of the delegation discussed relations among the various religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan and nearby areas, stressing the historic bonds between Kurds and Christians. They hailed the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence shared by different communities throughout Kurdistan because Kurds, too, have endured similar struggles. The Archbishop expressed confidence that the culture of harmonious coexistence would remain and that this legacy would continue.

Prime Minister Barzani also highlighted Kurdistan’s culture of tolerance, explaining that the various communities in Kurdish society are important and peaceful coexistence is an essential principle for the people of Kurdistan, who have always valued their diverse communities. He added that the events that have recently befallen Christians and other minorities are absolutely tragic and emphasised that all communities stand together in this fight – all are committed to remain together, as the future is shared by all of the people of Kurdistan.

The Prime Minister noted the special place of the Christian community in Kurdistan’s society. The tragic incidents of the past weeks have been awful, and this has encouraged all components of society to work harder to build a better future for everyone in Kurdistan. He reassured members of the delegation that the KRG and the people of Kurdistan are exerting every effort to provide safety, security, and dignity to members of all communities.

Finally, members of the delegation restated that internationally they have always called for further support for the Kurdistan Region and its government to promote prosperity, investment, and a better quality of life in the Region. The Archbishop also reiterated his community’s gratitude and appreciation for the role of the Peshmerga forces and their sacrifices, adding that everyone is proud of them and that their actions will not be forgotten.

Kurdistan Region President Welcomes US Senator Carl Levin

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services in the US Senate, Carl Levin on Wednesday.

In their meeting in Salahaddin, President Barzani and Senator Levin discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists and the political process to form a new government in Baghdad.

Senator Levin said that the people of America admire and feel very close to the Kurdish people, and expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region peshmerga forces in fighting terrorists. He also expressed his admiration for the KRG for protecting Yezidi, Christian and other minorities, and for the traditions of peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance that exist in Kurdistan.

For his part, President Barzani thanked the US President, government and people for their military and humanitarian support in this fight and stressed that the Peshmerga forces are capable to take the fight to ISIS terrorists provided they are supplied with the right weapons. He said that with the support of the US military air strikes, the Peshmerga have made several gains recently and they would continue to push the terrorists back.

Both sides agreed that defeating terrorists needs collective action and cooperation by all sides and that political progress in Baghdad has the potential to offer an opportunity for peace and stability in the country.

President Barzani Welcomes Canada's Foreign Minister Baird

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in Salahaddin today.

The President and the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister discussed Canada’s humanitarian and military support for the KRG, the fight against the ISIS terrorists, and the political process in Baghdad.

Foreign Minister Baird praised the leadership of President Barzani and the role of the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces for standing up to ISIS terrorists and said that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with the KRG in this fight. He added that his country would continue to support the KRG with humanitarian aid and military equipment. Mr. Baird also paid tribute to the peshmerga for their sacrifices in protecting and saving Yezidi, Christian, and other minorities and for offering a safe refuge for them. He said the world appreciates the KRG and its leadership for their generosity towards the IDPs and refuges.

President Barzani thanked Foreign Minister Baird for visiting Kurdistan, saying that the visit in itself is a strong message support and solidarity to our people. The President also thanked Canada and all other countries for their humanitarian and military support and for standing by the people and government of Kurdistan.

Both the President and the Canadian Foreign Minister agreed that the ISIS terrorists pose a threat to the whole world and confronting them needs cooperation and collective action by all sides.

They also discussed efforts to form an inclusive government in Baghdad. President Barzani said that the KRG would do its best to ensure a genuinely inclusive government is formed in Baghdad.

Former French Prime Minister visits Erbil and calls for further support to Kurdistan

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (DFR.krg.org) – François Fillon, former Prime Minister of France, visited the KRG Department of Foreign Relations yesterday to express solidarity with the people of Kurdistan and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

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.

Start
Prev
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
Next
End