News

PM Masrour Barzani meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday met Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Presidential Special Representative to the Middle East and Africa.

The Prime Minister expressed the Kurdistan Region’s will for stronger ties with Russia whilst they also talked about developments in Iraq, its relationship with Russia and also that between Erbil and Moscow.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister delivered greetings from his leadership and addressed the great role of President Masoud Barzani, whom he said Russia sees as the Kurdish national leader.

He also addressed the importance of the Kurdistan Region and its historic relations with Moscow.

Whilst discussing Syria, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated the importance of solving the issues facing Kurds in the country. This, he said, should be done in a way that represents all Kurdish parties in Syria.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/december/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-russian-deputy-foreign-minister/

Kurdistan Region President receives Italy’s Ambassador

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, November 28, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Bruno Antonio, the outgoing Ambassador of Italy to Iraq, in Erbil on Sunday.

Ambassador Antonio thanked the President and the Kurdistan Region for their support during his term in office and expressed hope that relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region strengthen further.

The Ambassador offered his condolences to the President for the fallen Peshmarga heroes who lost their lives battling ISIS terrorists in Kolju district on Saturday.

The President wished Mr. Antonio success in his new mission and thanked him for his efforts to promote and strengthen Italy’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and appreciated Italy’s support to Kurdistan.

The President reiterated that Saturday’s attack in which a number of Peshmarga forces lost their lives proves that ISIS remains a real danger that necessitates cooperation and coordination among Iraqi army and Peshmarga forces, with support from international coalition, to confront and defeat the terrorist network.

Discussions also covered a range of other issues including developments in the Kurdistan Region and the wider region, efforts to bring about unity among parties in Kurdistan and their common stance in Baghdad.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/kurdistan-region-president-receives-italys-ambassador/

PM Masrour Barzani meets Italian Ambassador to Iraq

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met Bruno Antonio, the outgoing Italian ambassador to Iraq.

The Premier thanked the ambassador for his work on developing ties between Italy, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region and wished him luck for the future.

The ambassador thanked the KRG for its cooperation with the Italian embassy and expressed his country’s wish for stronger ties with the Kurdistan Region.

Disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, post-election Iraq and the migrant issue were also discussed.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/november/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-italian-ambassador-to-iraq/

Kurdistan Region President discusses developments in Iraq with UK Ambassador

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, November 28, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Mark Bryson-Richardson, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Iraq, in Erbil on Sunday.

Discussions covered a wide range of issues including UK’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all areas and ways to strengthen ties. Terror threats and confronting ISIS, the importance of strengthening the cooperation and coordination mechanism between the Peshmarga and the Iraqi army, and the Erbil-Baghdad relations were also discussed.

On the recent row over the outcome of the parliamentary elections among Iraqi political factions, the President reiterated that the Kurdistan Region will, under no circumstances, be part of the problem, but it will strive to support proper solutions to the disputes, and will also continue to support the political process in the country.

The President and the Ambassador reaffirmed mutual willingness to expand bilateral relations and areas of cooperation, and affirmed that Iraqi factions should reach an agreement and form a government that is able to preserve political stability and respond to the demands of citizens for peace, stability, better livelihood and improved public services.

Discussions also focused on the steps taken in the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Peshmarga towards reform and unification of its forces with continued assistance from the UK to the reform process.

The latest developments in the wider region and other topics of mutual interest were also highlighted.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/kurdistan-region-president-discusses-developments-in-iraq-with-uk-ambassador/

Iran has asked Kurds not to get involved in the Shiite-Sunni dispute in Iraq: envoy

The representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Tehran, said that Iran called on the Iraqi Kurds not to get involved in the disputes between Shiites and Sunnis in the country.

Referring to the recent visit of the Iran Qods Force Commander, Esmail Qaani's, to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Nazim Dabbagh said that the visit was to calm the situation in Iraq, especially after the protests against the results of the parliamentary elections and the assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, adding that the role of Iran in Iraq is not a new issue, and Iran cares about the security and stability of Iraq as much as it cares about its security and stability.

The Kurdistan Regional Government representative in Tehran stressed that the assassination attempt on the Iraqi Prime Minister is against Iran's interests and that it is not in anyone's interest to see Iran and Iraq to assassinate the figures of the other side.

He stated that in his opinion, General Qaani stressed to various Iraqi parties and movements that they should accept the results of the Iraqi elections.

He also added that Qaani had previously made visits to the Kurdistan region during his travels to Iraq, which means that the Kurds are important for Iran in maintaining balance in Iraq and that Iran's message to the Kurds was that they should not get involved in conflicts between Shiite and Sunni movements.

Nazim Dabbagh went on to say that Qaani had told the Kurds that once the Shiite movements reached an agreement, they would be able to support the movements, which represents all Shiites.

The envoy stressed that the Kurds cannot stay against one front and stand by another, because for the Kurds Iran is not a country that can support the Kurdish region at all times, and on the other hand, the Kurds cannot fully trust the United States and other countries and they must maintain their neutrality in this situations.

Reporter's code: 50101

https://kurdpress.com/en/news/1732/Iran-has-asked-Kurds-not-to-get-involved-in-the-Shiite-Sunni-dispute-in-Iraq:-envoy/

Kurdistan Region President and Sweden’s Minister of Foreign affairs hold meeting

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, November 22, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Ms. Ann Linde, Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and her accompanying delegation, in Erbil late Monday evening.

The meeting covered a wide range of pressing issues including the developments in Iraq, the recent parliamentary elections in the country and the election results, Sweden’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, investment opportunities for Swedish businesses in the Kurdistan Region, the status of the refugees, the condition of al-Hawl refugee camp in Syria and the threats posed by ISIS networks.

Discussions also focused on the democratic process, human rights, civil liberties, gender equality, the judicial system in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the climate change and its growing implications especially for Iraq.

President Nechirvan Barzani and Foreign Minister Linde reiterated the importance of political stability in Iraq and reaching a common understanding among parties on the future of the political process in the country and settling any dispute regarding the election results through legal channels. They expressed hope that the upcoming Iraqi government, based on the election results, will address and meet the demands and expectations of citizens in Iraq for a better livelihood and improved public services.

The President and the Foreign Minister exchanged views on the importance of the continuing efforts to improve the conditions for women in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and their broader and more active participation in the political process and governance. Preserving democratic principles, liberties, human rights, equality and enhancing the judiciary system were underlined.

The relations between Erbil and Baghdad, relations between the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries, ongoing efforts to bring ISIS terrorists to justice, the latest developments in the wider region and other topics of mutual interest were also highlighted.

Kurdistan Region President receives Ambassador of the Netherlands

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, November 22, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Michel Rentenaar, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Iraq, in Erbil on Monday.

At the meeting, the developments in Iraq, especially the recent parliamentary elections and the ongoing row over the election outcome were discussed. Discussions also covered a wide range of other issues including the Netherlands’ relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all areas and ways to strengthen bilateral ties, the role and contributions of the Dutch forces within the International Coalition against ISIS, and the Netherlands’ support and cooperation with the Ministry of Peshmarga as part of efforts to reform and unite the Peshmarga forces.

The President and the Ambassador agreed that disputes regarding the outcome of the elections should be settled through legal and constitutional channels and that after accepting the results, negotiations should start to form the new Iraqi cabinet.

Expanding Kurdistan Region’s relations with the Netherlands, particularly in agriculture, investments and private sector, and academic exchange and coordination between the two sides were also highlighted.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his appreciation for the Netherlands’ support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as part of the International Coalition against ISIS and valued the contributions of the Netherlands to the Ministry of Peshmarga to conduct reforms.

The regional developments and other topics of mutual interest were highlighted.

Kurdistan Region President and Iraq’s President hold meeting

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, November 17, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Dr. Barham Salih, the President of the Republic of Iraq, on Wednesday.

Discussions focused on the situation in Iraq, the outcome of the parliamentary elections, Erbil-Baghdad relations and efforts aimed at resolving differences, the formation of the upcoming Iraqi cabinet, the war on terror, confronting ISIS threats and the latest regional developments.

Both sides reaffirmed the need and importance of cooperation and coordination among Iraqi factions to overcome challenges. They agreed that collective efforts are needed to ensure stability, to form a government that addresses the expectations and demands of citizens and to correct the course of the political process in Iraq.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/kurdistan-region-president-and-iraqs-president-hold-meeting/

Monday, 08 November 2021 14:23

PM Masrour Barzani meets Iran’s deputy foreign minister

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met Mahdi Safari, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy.

Both sides discussed ways to further develop ties between the Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in trade and investment.

They also discussed local developments and the relationship between Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/november/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-iran-s-deputy-foreign-minister/

Kurdistan Region President receives Consul General of Hungary

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 28, 2021

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Attila Toth, the Consul General of Hungary in Erbil on Thursday.

The President congratulated Mr. Toth on assuming the office, wished him success in his duties in the Kurdistan Region and expressed support for his new mission. The President offered his gratitude to Hungary for its support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq within the International Coalition against ISIS. The President also thanked Hungary for its humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people in the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed Kurdistan Region’s willingness to strengthen bilateral ties.

Consul General Toth expressed delight over his new mission, reiterating his country’s commitment to expand ties with the Kurdistan Region, especially economic relations, and seeking greater opportunities for partnership.

Discussions also focused on Iraq’s elections, the future of the political process in the country, efforts to form the next Iraqi government and the war on terrorism.