On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), received Emilija Georgieva, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Jordan and Iraq.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of bilateral ties between the Kurdistan Region and Switzerland. He expressed admiration for Switzerland's successful experiences across various domains and highlighted the Kurdistan Region's aspiration to learn from them.

The Swiss Ambassador praised the notable progress achieved in construction and development within the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming her country's eagerness to further enhance bilateral relations, particularly in commerce and industry.

The two sides discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad, underscoring the significance of upholding the agreement between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government and stressed the importance of respecting the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region. They also addressed the situation of internally displaced people and refugees, emphasising the need to establish suitable conditions for their voluntary repatriation to their places of origin.

Lastly, the meeting touched upon the detrimental effects of climate change and highlighted the importance of safeguarding water resources.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/june/prime-minister-barzani-receives-ambassador-of-switzerland-to-jordan-and-iraq/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, June 7, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Nasir Mammadov, the Chargé d’affaires at the Azerbaijan Embassy in Baghdad. The meeting discussed the bilateral relations of Azerbaijan with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and ways to develop their joint cooperation.

Both sides agreed that there are ample opportunities to develop their relations, especially in the fields of economy, trade and tourism. They also discussed the process of opening the Azerbaijani Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region that had been decided during the meeting between the President of the Kurdistan Region and the President of Azerbaijan in Munich last February.

The expected visit of the Kurdistan Region President to Baku at the official invitation of the President of Azerbaijan, the situation in the wider region and other issues of common interest were also highlighted at the meeting.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-charge-daffaires-of-azerbaijan/

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), received Nasir Mammadov, Charge d'affaires of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Iraq.

The meeting primarily aimed to strengthen the ties between the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the conversation, Mr. Mammadov emphasised his country's commitment to enhancing relations with the Kurdistan region and revealed plans to establish a General Consulate of Azerbaijan in Erbil in the near future.

Prime Minister Barzani confirmed the Kurdistan region's eagerness to foster and expand relations between the two peoples.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/june/prime-minister-barzani-receives-azerbaijan-s-charge-daffaires/

On Monday, June 5, 2023, Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), welcomed Ms. Jessica Svärdström, the Ambassador of Sweden to Iraq, in a meeting that covered several topical issues.

The discussions focussed on the overall situation in Iraq, with an emphasis on strengthening bilateral ties between the Kurdistan Region and Sweden. In particular, the Prime Minister stressed the significance of upholding the agreement between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government, which guarantees the Kurdistan Region's financial entitlements and constitutional rights.

The meeting also covered the internal affairs of the Kurdistan Region, particularly the upcoming parliamentary election. The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of adhering to the scheduled timeline for the election.

The Swedish Ambassador commended the progress made in construction and development within the Kurdistan Region, particularly in its capital, Erbil, despite the numerous obstacles and challenges faced.

Furthermore, the two sides discussed the enhancement of women's rights in the Kurdistan Region, and policies enacted by the KRG to provide equal opportunities for women across all aspects of life.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/june/prime-minister-receives-the-ambassador-of-sweden-to-iraq/

The independent international cinema news reporter, Mansour Jahani, has said in an interview with France 24, "The Cannes International Film Festival has introduced most of the prominent Iranian filmmakers to the world." 

In an interview with the television channel France 24, Mansour Jahani said, "France's Cannes International Film Festival, as the most prestigious cinematic event in the world, has always dedicated special attention to the cinema of Iran, bestowing a unique status to it. The most prominent Iranian filmmakers such as the late Abbas Kiarostami with his masterpiece The Taste of Cherry won the Palme d'Or, and other well-known directors namely, Asghar Farhadi, Jafar Panahi, Bahman Ghobadi, Mohammad Rasoulof, etc. were introduced to the international audience after attending Cannes and earning awards in different competition categories."  

"Each year, the latest significant films of Iranian cinema are featured in this prestigious cinematic event, and film lovers and enthusiasts of the art, journalists, critics, and cinema screenwriters, and overall, the cast and crew of global cinema sit to watch them for the first time, later to be assessed and judged by the jury of the competition category," Jahani commented on the participation of notable works of Iranian filmmakers in various editions of Cannes.   

Mansour Jahani concluded his words by saying, "The Cannes International Film Festival is the foremost prestigious cinematic window in the world that is open to Iranian cinema, and this invaluable and brilliant collaboration will continue in the next editions, just as it did in the former rounds."

Ankara. Turkey, June 3, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Ankara on Saturday afternoon at an official invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of Turkey’s President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for a new term in office.

President Nechirvan Barzani will join world leaders to take part in the inauguration ceremony, and to attend a dinner to be held on the occasion of President Erdogan’s swearing-in ceremony.

 https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-arrives-in-ankara/

On Monday, May 29th, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, received Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahanun bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan.

The meeting, which was also attended by Ahmed Al-Zahiri, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Kurdistan Region, focused on the strong and special relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the UAE. Both parties emphasised the importance of cooperation and coordination across various fields.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/may/krg-prime-minister-welcomes-sheikh-khalifa-bin-tahanun-al-nahyan/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 31, 2022

President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Turkey’s President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection.

In a phone call on Wednesday, President Nechirvan Bazrani also wished President Erdogan, the people and government of Turkey success, and expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to develop relations with Turkey in all areas.

For his part, President Erdogan thanked the Kurdistan Region President for his congratulatory call and reaffirmed his country’s desire to further strengthen relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and invited President Nechirvan Barzani to his swearing-in ceremony in Ankara.

The two sides also discussed the situation in the wider region and other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-congratulates-president-erdogan-on-reelection/