Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday met with Iraqi President Barham Salih.

During the meeting the latest developments in Iraq and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad were discussed.

Both sides emphasized the importance of solving outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

The forthcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections and need for a fair and transparent voting system that takes into account the rights of the entire population were also discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/september/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-with-iraqi-president/

London, UK, September 16, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani was warmly received by Mr. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at 10 Downing Street in London on Friday.

Prime Minister Johnson expressed his delight in receiving the President, thanked him for the visit and reiterated that the UK attaches importance to its relations with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The Prime Minister said that the UK relations with the Kurdistan Region were formed 30 years ago with the establishment of the no fly zone. Mr. Johnson said these mutual relations will grow stronger and the UK is committed to continue strengthening bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Johnson reiterated that the relations are historic and need to be made stronger, especially the economic relations. The Prime Minister affirmed the willingness of the UK to expand trade and commerce and to increase visiting delegations to both countries. Mr. Johnson expressed willingness to visit Erbil again and said: I have great memories from the previous visit. The Prime Minister thanked the President for his role in resolving differences in Iraq and ensuring stability.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani referred to his visit to London and his meeting with Prime Minister Johnson as reassuring and important for expansion of relations, especially after the recent events in the region. The President expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the UK government and the allies for their political, military and humanitarian support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The President stressed that the Kurdistan Region is willing to expand all areas of mutual cooperation with the United Kingdom, especially in trade and investments.

Regarding Erbil-Baghdad relations and their pending differences, the President affirmed that talks are ongoing in a positive atmosphere with the Iraqi federal government. The President reiterated that the Kurdistan Region is willing to resolve all disputes based on the constitution.

Discussions also covered COVID-19 pandemic, terror threats and the dangers of ISIS resurgence, which continues to pose a considerable threat.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring and regional countries, the status of the refugees and the displaced people in the Kurdistan Region, developments in Afghanistan and other topics of mutual interest were highlighted.

London, UK, September 16, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Ms. Liz Truss, the United Kingdom’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in London on Thursday.

The President congratulated Ms. Truss on assuming the office and wished her success in her new mission as Britain’s new Foreign Secretary.

The President reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s willingness to strengthen and expand cooperation and partnership with the UK.

Foreign Secretary Truss expressed her delight in receiving President Nechirvan Barzani in London and underlined that the UK is committed to continue supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and working with allies and partners in the international coalition against ISIS. Ms. Truss looked forward to expanding UK partnership and cooperation in all areas with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani offered his appreciation to the United Kingdom for supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the war against ISIS, and for providing humanitarian aid to refugees and the displaced people. The President also presented a brief note on the steps taken to unify the Peshmarga forces with the support from the UK and other countries.

Discussions also covered the threats of ISIS and the reasons behind its resurgence, the upcoming elections and the prospect for political process in the country, Erbil-Baghdad relations, the status of the refugees and the displaced people, the latest developments in the wider region and other topics of mutual interest. Both sides agreed that stability in Iraq is important to the wider region and the world.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met with David Hunt, the new British Consul General to Erbil, to welcome him into his new role.

The Prime Minister emphasised the UK and the Kurdistan Region share many interests, including regional peace and stability and greater economic development across the country.

Both sides agreed to explore ways to work closer together and elevate bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Barzani also welcomed opportunities for the UK to assist with the ninth cabinet’s ambitious reform agenda, notably within the Peshmerga ministry.

They also discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the upcoming Iraqi elections.

 

 

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/september/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-with-new-british-consul-general-to-erbil/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 12, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. David Hunt, the incoming Consul General of the United Kingdom in Erbil, on Sunday.

President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Mr. Hunt on assuming the office, wished him success and offered his full support to the mission of the new Consul General in the Kurdistan Region.

Strengthening bilateral relations and expanding areas of mutual cooperation and partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom were underlined.

The Consul General shed light on his comprehensive working plan to strengthen ties between the UK and the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed his country’s continuing commitment to support the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and stability in the country. Mr. Hunt commended the cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Peshmarga and the UK Ministry of Defense.

Discussions also focused on ways to expand economic relations in all areas, and supporting the private sector and investment opportunities. The situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, the latest regional developments and other topics of mutual interest were highlighted.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday met with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, to discuss regional developments and the EU’s support to the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for the EU’s efforts to bring stability to Iraq and underscored the important role international monitoring teams will play in the upcoming Iraqi elections in supporting a safe and transparent voting process.

Both sides agreed that the Kurdistan Region continues to serve as a driver of peace and stability in the Middle East, which the Prime Minister believes should be supported through the full implementation of the Iraqi Constitution and the respect of the principles of equality and cooperation as the foundation for Iraq’s governance structure.

Prime Minister Barzani also emphasised the Kurdistan Regional Government’s readiness to strengthen ties with the EU beyond its support in the war against terrorism and explore ways to deepen cooperation on reforms, Erbil-Baghdad relations, and the safe return of refugees and IDPs to their homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/september/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-with-the-eu-s-high-representative-for-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy/

 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 7, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Joseph Borrell, the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, and his accompanying delegation, in Erbil on Tuesday.

Wide-ranging discussions focused on the situation in Iraq, the European Union’s (EU) relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, expanding partnership and cooperation, as well as the relations between Erbil and Baghdad and their pending disputes. Discussions also covered the dangers of terrorism and the threats posed by ISIS, the upcoming Iraqi elections and the anticipated political developments in the future, the status of the refugees and the displaced people, the impact of climate change, the latest developments in the wider region, as well as other topics of mutual interest.

Mr. Borrell expressed the appreciation of the European Union for the role of the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS and its defeat and commended the Kurdistan Region hosting refugees and IDPs and protecting all communities in the country. Mr. Borrell reiterated the continuous support of the EU to the Kurdistan Region in all areas.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani appreciated the role of the European Union in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and valued EU’s support to the institutions and the reform processes in the Region, and also commended EU’s efforts to resolve the existing problems in Iraq.

The President reaffirmed that Iraq’s problems need political solutions based on the constitution and shared responsibility.

Following the meeting, a joint press conference was held. Below is a readout of the press conference:

President Nechirvan Barzani:

“I welcome the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Mr. Borrell in Erbil.

“We highly appreciate this timely visit to the country that is a sign of EU’s commitment towards Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“We had a wide-ranging discussion on EU-Iraq relations, Erbil-Baghdad ties and disputes, the war against terrorism, the threat of ISIS, the upcoming Iraqi elections and the importance of the participation of EU monitoring teams, the regional developments, migration and other issues of common interest.

“We thank the EU and its member states for their support in the fight against ISIS and for providing humanitarian aid. The EU, through its development programs, has also considerably contributed to capacity building in different sectors.

“Climate change is impacting the entire planet and we are of no exception. It is becoming increasingly clear that climate change is threatening Iraq’s security and development. I am proud that 3 of Kurdistan Region Governorates have become members of the European Covenant of Mayors, because they developed Energy and Climate Adaptation Plans with EU’s support. We encourage the EU to continue supporting Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, in our efforts to address the devastating impact of climate change.

“We seek EU’s support in providing capacity-building programs to strengthen our institutions, our reforms, the rule of law, good governance, and women and youth empowerment, maintaining academic collaboration, enhancing our administration procedures and developing our judiciary system.

“The Kurdistan Region also needs EU’s support to fully take part in all agreements between Iraq and the European Union.

“In the end, Mr Borrell, I would like to reiterate our commitment to promoting our shared values including democracy, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, peaceful co-existence and religious freedom and safeguarding all communities.

“Thank you!”

Mr. Joseph Borrell:

“Thank you President Barzani. My first words have to be to thank you President Barzani for the warm welcome here in Erbil. I am pleased to conclude my visit to Iraq at this region, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Because it would be impossible to visit Iraq without paying strong attention to the Kurdistan Region.

“We have had a very productive discussion about many issues of mutual interest that the president referred to them. We know that the region has had difficult times in the past and many challenges remain. I am here to express on behalf of the European Union our solidarity and support. The European Union is, and will be still more, a friend and a partner.

“In these difficult time the Kurdistan Region plays a crucial role in ensuring stability in Iraq and the wider region. We therefore attach high importance to the relationship between Erbil and federal authorities in Baghdad. We understand the difficulties and encourage all efforts to resolve the existing differences and ensure cooperation and we are ready also to try to help on that.

“In my discussions with the President I had the opportunity to acknowledge and commend the important contribution by the Kurdistan Regional Government to the efforts of the Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIS). The important contribution of the Kurdistan people have been decisive in the fight against Daesh. We the European Union remain firmly committed to this global coalition to continue working against Daesh. The fight against Daesh is unfortunately not finished given the repeated attacks in the recent times. In this context I am pleased to announce that this summer we have extended our advisory mission in Iraq by opening a permanent residence here in Erbil. Our team is ready to provide advice and expertise on civilian security sector to the Kurdistan Regional Government. It has started in the areas in which our support can be useful.

“I also commended the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the generosity and responsibility you have shown and given refuge to so many persons and internally displaced people by Daesh, among them many Christians and many Yezidis. The efforts, Mr. President, are impressive. You were able to receive in six months 2 million refugees, which represents one third of the population. I don’t think there is another example of such a big effort, receiving people and helping them. I know how much it can cost and I have to praise you and the Kurdistan society for this extreme effort of solidarity. We try to support you as much as we can. Since 2019 about 240 000 people in Iraq have benefitted from the European Union management service in the camps. And we also support projects aiming to improve relationships between IDPs and local communities.

“Plus we had opportunity to talk about the regional issues of mutual interest and concern. This region is located in a very complicated neighborhood. In that context I also bear in mind the recent developments, like Afghanistan, we discussed the migration file, very important for us and the members of the European Union. President Barzani, I enjoyed this fruitful exchange on human rights also. We agreed on the importance of the freedom of expression, the media as part of a healthy democratic discourse of a vibrant civil society of fair plays and fully in line with the domestic laws and the international standards. This is the cornstone of a society, free media, fair judicial system.

“This has been my messages during the lunch with President Barzani and the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. From now on I forsee more constructive engagement. And I hope I will have the possibility of visiting your fantastic region again.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/kurdistan-region-president-meets-with-eu-high-delegation/