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PM Barzani praises the role of the private sector

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani hailed the private sector for its effective contributions to the Kurdistan Region economy since approval of the Investment Law in 2004.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed satisfaction with the expansion of investment in the sectors of agriculture and industry. His statements were made during last week’s visit to Dohuk Governorate, where he opened the Zakho International Football Stadium and the Rixos Hotel in the city of Dohuk.

During the opening ceremony of Zakho International Stadium, Prime Minister Barzani affirmed it as another indication of Kurdistan people’s quest for life, progress, and prosperity in the midst of adversity caused by war, terrorist threats, and oppression.

“No obstacle, embargo, or budget cutting can weaken Kurdistan people’s will for progress, reconstruction, and success,” he said.

He praised the role of Kurdish entrepreneurs for the support and assistance they have been offering voluntarily to the Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS.

Meeting Peshmerga commanders

In a meeting with commanders of Peshmerga forces in Dohuk, Prime Minister Barzani was updated about the latest developments on the battlefront against ISIS in the Duhok-Mosul sector.

Prime Minister Barzani spoke at length about the significant role the Peshmerga forces play in the fight against terrorism and the protection of the Region.

He pointed out, “The international community values the role of the Peshmerga forces in protecting the Region and also protecting all ethnic and religious groups who have been directly exposed to terrorism.”

In order to adequately confront terrorism, he reiterated that the Kurdistan Regional Government continuously seeks to ensure that the needs of the Peshmerga forces are met by the Federal Government of Iraq and the international coalition.

Relations with Baghdad and the IDPs issue

In his meeting with the Dohuk Governorate Council, Prime Minister Barzani reassured that the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, has intensified its effort to resolve the problems of Dohuk Governorate, particularly those related to providing assistance to meet the needs of refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs. Duhok Governorate hosts the largest number of refugees and IDPs both in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

On various occasions during his visit, Prime Minister Barzani discussed the problems between the KRG and Iraqi Federal Government, emphasising that the KRG is committed to meeting the requirements of the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015, as well as to the agreement reached last December between the two sides on budget and oil export issues. He reaffirmed that the KRG desires to solve the financial and budget problems through negotiations and mutual understanding.

“The Kurdistan Region’s priority is to solve the financial and budget problems with Baghdad, but if Baghdad continues its non-abidance of the agreement, then the KRG has to resort to other options,” he said.

Prime Minister Barzani said, “Baghdad neglects the Kurdistan Region’s rights. Turning to other options never has been a political issue. Our policy is to help Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, as was our policy in the past. These issues are economic issues. If mutual understanding of Kurdistan Region’s economic issues is not attained, we shall have to resort to other solutions.”

PM Barzani and Belgian government DPM discuss Region's situation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Belgian Government Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. Reynders introduced Belgium’s new Ambassador to Iraq, who will begin his duties in December.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Reynders indicated his country aims to implement several projects in the fields of energy and water in the Kurdistan Region as its Investment Law offers attractive assistance and incentives to foreign investors.

Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the Region’s economic difficulties that emerged after Baghdad withheld Kurdistan Region’s budget since early 2014, leading to suspension of many public service projects. He stated, however, that private sector projects are maintaining momentum. Foreign investors and business owners are regaining confidence that the Region is secure and offers significant incentives and opportunities.

Regarding the situation of refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs, Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that international assistance addresses only emergency needs while the KRG struggles to other essential needs. He noted that UN agencies have been unable to satisfactorily meet the requirements.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that Peshmerga forces are fighting a most barbaric terrorist organization on behalf of the entire world.

Regarding the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani said the current Iraq Government attitude towards the Kurdistan Region is the same as that of the former Iraqi cabinet. It continues to withhold the Kurdistan Region’s budget that includes civil servant salaries. It avoids including Kurdistan Region representatives in international conferences, held on the Iraq situation and the war against the Islamic State terrorist organization. He warned that this situation is not sustainable.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his wishes that Belgium’s new Ambassador to Iraq will be successful in his duty, reiterating his government’s full support and cooperation.

PM Barzani warns of more refugees and IDPs

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Stephen O’Brien, and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. O’Brien briefed the Prime Minister on his visit to Baghdad where he visited camps of internally displaced persons, IDPs. He said he will also visit IDP and refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. O’Brien thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, for the assistance it has been offering to displaced people. He described the relations between the United Nations agencies and KRG as positive and effective.

He said that the United Nations’ 2015 plan for assisting displaced people is soliciting over $1.5 billion from donor countries. He said, however, few countries so far offered assistance, except Kuwait that announced it will donate $200 million.

Mr. O’Brien noted that within the framework of the 2016 plan the Kurdistan Region will be dealt with separately as it disproportionately needs more assistance than other areas of Iraq.

Prime Minister Barzani said that due to the arrival of a high number of displaced people, particularly since the Islamic State terrorist organisation captured Mosul last June, the population of the Region has increased by 28 percent and continues to increase. Though all IDPs are Iraqi citizens, he noted the Iraqi government does not help to accommodate them and provide assistance to meet their needs in areas under KRG control. This has put an enormous burden on the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani called on the international community to assume its responsibilities as the Kurdistan Region accommodates and provides assistance to a very high number of refugees and IDPs, while at the same time it conducts a war against terrorism on behalf of the entire world.

He warned that due to ongoing war in Syria and Iraq, the Kurdistan Region could face additional waves of refugees and IDPs.

PM Barzani calls for further military assistance to Peshmerga Forces

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter-ISIL, Mr. Brett McGurk, and his accompanying military and diplomatic delegation.

The security situation in Iraq in general and anticipated liberation campaigns of Anbar and Mosul in particular were discussed.

They also discussed maintaining coalition airstrikes in support of Peshmerga forces, and also in Anbar and Hasaka, (Syria).

The U.S delegation emphasised the need for effective mechanisms to prevent radical jihadists joining the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, as well as ways to assist Sunnis to confront ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his hope for coalition forces to further train Iraqi military, police, and Peshmerga forces, and extend military operations to accelerate eradicating the ISIS terrorist organization and normalise the region.

Regarding the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the current situation is not sustainable. He said Baghdad continues to reduce funding the Region in breach of last December’s agreement and the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015 at a time when the Region is serving the needs of nearly two million displaced people and fighting ISIS.

He noted that if the Constitution was fully respected three years ago, Iraq would never have seen these days.

Kuwait to invest in Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Kuwait Consul-General to the Kurdistan Region, Dr. Omar Ahmad Al-Kandari.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the Kuwait Consul-General to his new position. They discussed the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region, particularly the war against terrorism and the economic and social impact of hosting nearly two million refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs.

Investment opportunities were also discussed and the Consul-General affirmed the desire of his country’s companies, investors, and relevant institutions to develop economic and commercial ties with the Region. He described the opening of the Kuwait Consulate General as an important step in that regard.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his happiness at the establishment of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Kuwait, offering the support of relevant KRG organisations to Kuwaiti companies that wish to invest in the Region, particularly in priority fields such as agriculture and tourism.

With Kuwaiti media representatives present in the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani explained the political, economic, security, and military situation in the Region. Regarding relations with Baghdad, he said that at this moment the KRG intends to resolve its differences with Baghdad. He said that Iraq is important for Kurdistan Region from geographical, political, social, commercial, and economic points of view. He said, however, that if the current breach of agreements by Baghdad continues, then the Region would have to turn towards other options.

President Barzani Attends the Birthday Ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II‏

Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani attended the 89th birthday ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremony was arranged by the Consulate General of the United Kingdom and was attended by a number of diplomats and KRG officials.

During the ceremony President Barzani reiterated his gratitude for the role of the United Kingdom in the current war against the terrorists of the Islamic State and wished a happy and meaningful birthday to her Majesty.

PM Barzani sends message of condolences to US Vice President

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, sent a message of condolences to Mr. Joe Biden, US vice-president on the occasion of passing of his son, Beau Biden.

Following is the text of the message:

Dear Vice President Biden,

On behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq I warmly offer you and your family our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear son, Beau. In shock and deep sadness, we grieve with you, your family, and all Americans.

We should all be inspired by your son's service as a US Military officer, as a leading civil servant who promoted justice and the rule of law, and as an exemplary citizen. In his passing we are learning more about the honor and value of dedicated public service that respects and protects all people regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

As our families in our many years of struggle have lost and continue to lose so many spouses and siblings, and brothers and sisters, we deeply and sincerely empathize with you and your family.

Please, again, accept our warmest and most heartfelt condolences.

Yours most sincerely,

Nechirvan Barzani,

Prime Minister
Kurdistan Regional Government

President Barzani Participates in WEF on Middle East and North Africa

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani participated in the opening session of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in the Dead Sea today and later held meetings with a number of leaders from the region.

The President met with Egyptian President Abdulfatah Al-Sisi, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss political and security developments in the region, in particular confronting the threat of ISIS terrorism.

The Egyptian President praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery of the peshmerga forces in fighting ISIS and expressed his country’s support to the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani also met with Iraq’s Speaker of the Council of Representatives Salim Al-Jibori and Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Baha Al-Araji to discuss the latest political and security challenges facing Iraq and the fight against ISIS terrorists. They also discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the need to strengthen ties between the two sides.

PM Barzani urges the United States to continue its support to Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received United States Ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones and his accompanying delegation.

Mr Jones pointed out the visit by Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani and his accompanying delegation to the United States last month, valuing the meetings and talks held during the visit.

The two sides discussed the latest political situation in Iraq, military operations, and the United States support to Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular.

Ambassador Jones reiterated that his country will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces, as it was discussed and stressed during President Barzani’s visit to the United States.

In the meeting, the relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the financial problems which appeared in the Kurdistan Region as the result of Baghdad’s withholding Kurdistan’s budgets early last year, were also discussed.

Ambassador Jones expressed his support for the agreement reached between Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government last December to settle oil export and budgetary issues.

He also pointed to the situation in the region in general and the importance of the participation of the Sunnis in the political process in Iraq as well the liberation of the Sunni areas under the control of the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his thanks and appreciation for his assessment of the successful visit of the President of the Kurdistan Region and his accompanying delegation to Washington. In this regard, he thanked the US embassy in Iraq to have organised and set the programme of the visit.

Regarding the humanitarian and military situation, Prime Minister Barzani hoped that the United States will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces and to the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, by providing relief aid to the large number of refugees and internally displaces people who sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani outlined KRG's position, saying that the Kurdistan Region has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement. He pointed out that the KRG is waiting for Iraqi Federal Government to meet its obligations by sending Kurdistan Region liabilities adequately, as defined in the agreement, in the coming days.

Prime Minister Barzani: Educational campaigns needed to defeat ISIS

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received His Beatitude Archbishop Aprem Mooken, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in India and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of bishops of the Assyrian Church of the East.

The delegation has visited Kurdistan Region to hold elections to designate a new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

In the meeting, the security situation of the Region and the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in Syria and Iraq were discussed.

The delegation expressed its, and the believers’ appreciation to the Kurdistan Region, praising the role of Peshmerga forces in defending territories and all the communities of the Kurdistan Region.

The members of the delegation also expressed their appreciation to the people and the government of Kurdistan Region who have opened doors for victims of terrorism from various religious and ethnic origins, especially those Christians, including the believers of the Assyrian Church of the East, who have fled from Syria and other parts of Iraq and sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

The delegation expressed its gratitude to the Kurdistan regional Government, KRG, for its support to build a Church for believers of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil, hailing the role of the KRG Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the people and government of Kurdistan Region respect all ethnic and religious communities. He said that despite enduring financial difficulties, the KRG has been providing assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people.

He also reiterated KRG’s support for building a Church for believers of Assyrian Church of the East, stressing that the government will provide all assistance for the implementation of the project.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out the role of the Peshmerga forces in their fight against ISIS, stressing that they defend humanity, freedom, territories and peoples of the region, on behalf of the entire world.

He described the war against ISIS as a significant and uneasy challenge. He said, only by military means, ISIS cannot be defeated; rather it needs to be countered by cultural and educational tools.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that the new generation must be educated according to principles of coexistence and tolerance.