Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 17, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani is to arrive in Baku on Tuesday on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he will hold a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

President Nechirvan Barzani and President Ilham Aliyev are set to discuss the bilateral relations of Azerbaijan with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and ways to develop mutual cooperation.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-to-visit-the-republic-of-azerbaijan/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 2, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received the outgoing French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region Mr. Olivier Decottignies on Sunday, who paid a farewell visit to the President upon completion of his term in office.

The President thanked Consul General Decottignies for his efforts to promote his country’s relations with the Kurdistan Region and wished him success in his upcoming assignment.

For his part, the French Consul General referred to his term in office in the Kurdistan Region and thanked the President and relevant parties for their support during his tenure, and hoped the cooperation and support to continue for his successor. Mr. Decottignies also expressed appreciation for the efforts and contributions of President Nechirvan Barzani to promote relations between the Kurdistan Region and France.

The two sides also discussed the development of French relations with the Kurdistan Region and other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-bids-farewell-to-outgoing-consul-general-of-france/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, June 27, 2023

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, I warmly congratulate all Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world. I wish everyone a happy Eid.

On this day, let us embrace the messages of Eid on tolerance, peace, and reconciliation and turn it into an opportunity to renew friendship and to start a new chapter together.

Most of all, the people of Kurdistan expect the political parties to make this holiday an opportunity for unity and solidarity so that we can move towards a better future together. Let us all meet this expectation.

Happy holidays to all of you.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

Berlin, Germany, June 26, 2023

The following is a readout of President Nechirvan Barzani’s remarks to reporters after his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

“Our visit to Berlin was at the invitation of His Excellency the Chancellor of Germany. We had a good meeting this evening, in which we discussed matters of mutual interest between the Kurdistan Region and Germany, and the relations between Iraq and Germany. What we feel is that Berlin and His Excellency the Chancellor attach importance to developing these relations with Iraq, and with the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq.

“In this meeting, we discussed topics that were of interest to both of us. The topics were mostly how to develop our economic and political relations. We asked him to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as we felt that they attache great importance to their relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

The President also answered questions from the journalists.

Question: “To what extent, does the central government support the relations of the Kurdistan Region with other countries of the world?”

The President: “Indeed, before our visit to Berlin, we coordinated with the Prime Minister of Iraq and with Baghdad, and in all the meetings we have had here today, our (Iraqi) ambassador has participated in all the meetings with us, and we have spoken as one team. I’ve genuinely not seen Baghdad create any problems for these meetings of the Kurdistan Region with any parties.”

When asked another question about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and about Baghdad’s efforts to reduce the Kurdistan Region’s position and export of the Kurdistan Region’s oil, the President said:

“The relations between the KDP and the PUK are not extremely bad. The relations are bad, but not terrible. As we speak here today, the KDP and the PUK have held a meeting (in Erbil) and we hope that these meetings will continue so that we can achieve a result. Indeed, the Kurdistan Region’s position abroad, as well as in Iraq and Baghdad, will be stronger. All the efforts are within the framework of reaching an agreement with the PUK. The issue of oil in the Kurdistan Region is a matter that partly has to do with Baghdad and partly has to do with Turkey. Unfortunately, so far, we have not seen the necessary steps taken by Baghdad to export oil again.”

Regarding the increase of cooperation of Germany with the Peshmerga and the reconstruction of Shingal, the President said:

“In this meeting with H.E. the German Chancellor, we thanked Germany’s stance as they have supported the Kurdistan Region through hardships; militarily, economically and through humanitarian aid. Today, the German Chancellor reiterated that he finds it important to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all aspects. What we understood today is that indeed, the support will continue.”

In response to a question about Germany attaching importance to the Kurdistan Region, especially since, at the end of this year, the timeframe of the deployment of German forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will come to an end, the President said:

“We did not really discuss this issue, but as you are aware, the German Parliament extended the troop deployment of the German forces. Today, we talked with H.E. the Chancellor and reiterated that ISIS remains a danger to Iraq, and that Iraq still needs international support in this regards.”

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s position toward the presence of US forces in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Turkey after the elections in the country, the President said:

“The question of the presence of the United States is within the framework of an agreement that was made with Iraq and not outside of that agreement. There is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States and in this framework, American forces are present in Iraq. Our position and Baghdad’s position is that we still need international cooperation and, in this context, the United States is in Iraq as an ally force, and all the parties of Iraq agree that this cooperation should continue. As for Turkey, in the past and present, our relations with Turkey have been good, and we hope that the relations between Iraq and Turkey will improve gradually.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-germany-attaches-importance-to-its-relations-with-iraq-and-the-kurdistan-region/

Berlin, Germany, June 26, 2023

The following is a readout of President Nechirvan Barzani’s remarks to reporters after his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

“Our visit to Berlin was at the invitation of His Excellency the Chancellor of Germany. We had a good meeting this evening, in which we discussed matters of mutual interest between the Kurdistan Region and Germany, and the relations between Iraq and Germany. What we feel is that Berlin and His Excellency the Chancellor attach importance to developing these relations with Iraq, and with the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq.

“In this meeting, we discussed topics that were of interest to both of us. The topics were mostly how to develop our economic and political relations. We asked him to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as we felt that they attache great importance to their relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

The President also answered questions from the journalists.

Question: “To what extent, does the central government support the relations of the Kurdistan Region with other countries of the world?”

The President: “Indeed, before our visit to Berlin, we coordinated with the Prime Minister of Iraq and with Baghdad, and in all the meetings we have had here today, our (Iraqi) ambassador has participated in all the meetings with us, and we have spoken as one team. I’ve genuinely not seen Baghdad create any problems for these meetings of the Kurdistan Region with any parties.”

When asked another question about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and about Baghdad’s efforts to reduce the Kurdistan Region’s position and export of the Kurdistan Region’s oil, the President said:

“The relations between the KDP and the PUK are not extremely bad. The relations are bad, but not terrible. As we speak here today, the KDP and the PUK have held a meeting (in Erbil) and we hope that these meetings will continue so that we can achieve a result. Indeed, the Kurdistan Region’s position abroad, as well as in Iraq and Baghdad, will be stronger. All the efforts are within the framework of reaching an agreement with the PUK. The issue of oil in the Kurdistan Region is a matter that partly has to do with Baghdad and partly has to do with Turkey. Unfortunately, so far, we have not seen the necessary steps taken by Baghdad to export oil again.”

Regarding the increase of cooperation of Germany with the Peshmerga and the reconstruction of Shingal, the President said:

“In this meeting with H.E. the German Chancellor, we thanked Germany’s stance as they have supported the Kurdistan Region through hardships; militarily, economically and through humanitarian aid. Today, the German Chancellor reiterated that he finds it important to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all aspects. What we understood today is that indeed, the support will continue.”

In response to a question about Germany attaching importance to the Kurdistan Region, especially since, at the end of this year, the timeframe of the deployment of German forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will come to an end, the President said:

“We did not really discuss this issue, but as you are aware, the German Parliament extended the troop deployment of the German forces. Today, we talked with H.E. the Chancellor and reiterated that ISIS remains a danger to Iraq, and that Iraq still needs international support in this regards.”

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s position toward the presence of US forces in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Turkey after the elections in the country, the President said:

“The question of the presence of the United States is within the framework of an agreement that was made with Iraq and not outside of that agreement. There is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States and in this framework, American forces are present in Iraq. Our position and Baghdad’s position is that we still need international cooperation and, in this context, the United States is in Iraq as an ally force, and all the parties of Iraq agree that this cooperation should continue. As for Turkey, in the past and present, our relations with Turkey have been good, and we hope that the relations between Iraq and Turkey will improve gradually.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-germany-attaches-importance-to-its-relations-with-iraq-and-the-kurdistan-region/

Berlin, Germany, June 26, 2023

The following is a readout of President Nechirvan Barzani’s remarks to reporters after his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

“Our visit to Berlin was at the invitation of His Excellency the Chancellor of Germany. We had a good meeting this evening, in which we discussed matters of mutual interest between the Kurdistan Region and Germany, and the relations between Iraq and Germany. What we feel is that Berlin and His Excellency the Chancellor attach importance to developing these relations with Iraq, and with the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq.

“In this meeting, we discussed topics that were of interest to both of us. The topics were mostly how to develop our economic and political relations. We asked him to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as we felt that they attache great importance to their relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

The President also answered questions from the journalists.

Question: “To what extent, does the central government support the relations of the Kurdistan Region with other countries of the world?”

The President: “Indeed, before our visit to Berlin, we coordinated with the Prime Minister of Iraq and with Baghdad, and in all the meetings we have had here today, our (Iraqi) ambassador has participated in all the meetings with us, and we have spoken as one team. I’ve genuinely not seen Baghdad create any problems for these meetings of the Kurdistan Region with any parties.”

When asked another question about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and about Baghdad’s efforts to reduce the Kurdistan Region’s position and export of the Kurdistan Region’s oil, the President said:

“The relations between the KDP and the PUK are not extremely bad. The relations are bad, but not terrible. As we speak here today, the KDP and the PUK have held a meeting (in Erbil) and we hope that these meetings will continue so that we can achieve a result. Indeed, the Kurdistan Region’s position abroad, as well as in Iraq and Baghdad, will be stronger. All the efforts are within the framework of reaching an agreement with the PUK. The issue of oil in the Kurdistan Region is a matter that partly has to do with Baghdad and partly has to do with Turkey. Unfortunately, so far, we have not seen the necessary steps taken by Baghdad to export oil again.”

Regarding the increase of cooperation of Germany with the Peshmerga and the reconstruction of Shingal, the President said:

“In this meeting with H.E. the German Chancellor, we thanked Germany’s stance as they have supported the Kurdistan Region through hardships; militarily, economically and through humanitarian aid. Today, the German Chancellor reiterated that he finds it important to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all aspects. What we understood today is that indeed, the support will continue.”

In response to a question about Germany attaching importance to the Kurdistan Region, especially since, at the end of this year, the timeframe of the deployment of German forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will come to an end, the President said:

“We did not really discuss this issue, but as you are aware, the German Parliament extended the troop deployment of the German forces. Today, we talked with H.E. the Chancellor and reiterated that ISIS remains a danger to Iraq, and that Iraq still needs international support in this regards.”

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s position toward the presence of US forces in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Turkey after the elections in the country, the President said:

“The question of the presence of the United States is within the framework of an agreement that was made with Iraq and not outside of that agreement. There is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States and in this framework, American forces are present in Iraq. Our position and Baghdad’s position is that we still need international cooperation and, in this context, the United States is in Iraq as an ally force, and all the parties of Iraq agree that this cooperation should continue. As for Turkey, in the past and present, our relations with Turkey have been good, and we hope that the relations between Iraq and Turkey will improve gradually.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-germany-attaches-importance-to-its-relations-with-iraq-and-the-kurdistan-region/

Berlin, Germany, June 26, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met with Ms. Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, in Berlin on Monday.

The two sides discussed the development of Germany’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields, the situation in Sinjar, the status of the Yezidis and the refugees in the Kurdistan Region, and the impact of climate change in Iraq.

President Nechirvan Barzani thanked Germany for its support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and welcomed the recent agreements between Germany and Iraq, reiterating the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to further expand relations and joint cooperation with Germany.

Ms. Schultz expressed her country’s continued support and willingness for cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially in the areas that are needed, including investments, training in various fields, and economic diversification in a way that support the measures to address the impacts of climate change in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-the-minister-for-economic-cooperation-and-development-of-germany/

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) received Mar Georges III Younan, the newly appointed Patriarch of the Ancient Church of the East, on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Prime Minister Barzani congratulated Patriarch Mar Georges III Younan on his appointment and reaffirmed the KRG's dedication to peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities in the Kurdistan Region.

The Patriarch commended the safeguarding of Christian rights in the Kurdistan Region, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support extended by the KRG to the Christian community.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/june/krg-prime-minister-receives-patriarch-mar-georges-iii-younan/