News

President Barzani Meets Commander of US Central Command General Austin

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the commander of the United States General Command General Lloyd Austin in Salahaddin on Wednesday.

The President and the US General discussed the military campaign currently underway against the ISIS terrorists and the military support of the US to the peshmerga forces. President Barzani thanked the United States and other countries for their military and humanitarian support of the KRG and added that thanks to this support, the peshmerga forces have now got the initiative against the terrorists.

General Austin recognized the role of the peshmerga forces in the fight against the ISIS terrorists and reaffirmed continued US support for the peshmergas.

The two agreed that ISIS is a threat to the whole region and the world, and that confronting it needs international efforts and cooperation.

President Barzani Welcomes UK Government Security Envoy to Kurdistan

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with UK Government’s Security Envoy to the Kurdistan Region, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall.

The President and the UK government’s security envoy discussed the military effort by the peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and cooperation and assistance by the UK government to help the peshmerga forces in this fight.

General Mayall said that he is in Kurdistan on behalf of UK government to coordinate with the KRG on the supplies of humanitarian and military aid from the UK. He described the recent advances and gains made by the peshmerga forces as remarkable and said that together with the United States and other allies, they would continue to support the peshmerga forces. He also praised the role of peshmerga forces for risking and sacrificing their lives to protect Yezidi and Christian and other minorities in the battle zones.

President Barzani welcomed the decision by the UK Prime Minister to appoint a special security envoy to Kurdistan and extended his appreciation for the military and humanitarian support that the UK is offering to Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Barzani discusses key issues with the press

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday spoke to members of the press regarding security issues, response to the humanitarian crisis, the government formation process in Baghdad, and other matters following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Yousif Mohammed.

The Prime Minister met with the Speaker of Parliament to share a report about the displaced families from Sinjar and Christian villages, discuss ongoing negotiations with Baghdad, and review the current military situation. He said that he will continue to discuss matters related to Peshmerga forces and martyrs affairs with the Speaker.

Prime Minister Barzani told members of the press that the KRG had a bitter experience dealing with former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government, and said that he hoped past mistakes that led to the current crisis would not be repeated in the next cabinet. He indicated that a negotiating team from the Kurdistan Alliance has been established and that they have engaged in detailed preparatory meetings prior to visiting Baghdad.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the delegation will advocate government formation quickly, but the Kurdistan Region has its requests. He noted that these points are clear, including implementation of constitutional Article 140, allocation of a budget for Peshmerga forces, federal budget distribution in general, and matters regarding natural resources. It was decided that the negotiating team would discuss theses issues with Baghdad, with the understanding that they cannot be implemented in two weeks. All political parties of the team agreed on a deadline for the requests.

Prime Minister Barzani lauded the military and humanitarian assistance provided by the international community. “We are grateful to the countries supporting the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the terrorists,” he said, adding, “The issue of terror does not only concern the Kurdistan Regional Government. Rather, combating terror requires an international coalition, and we believe the international community has thus far taken good steps.”

The Prime Minister explained that actions taken have been supported by the United States and European countries militarily. This support began only recently, but nonetheless the KRG is grateful to all countries that have taken measures to support the Kurdistan Region. He noted that Kurdistan is at the forefront of the world’s fight against terrorism, and again underscored the need for regional and international coordination.

Answering questions about the displaced families and provision of humanitarian aid, Prime Minister Barzani said that the KRG is under tremendous pressure and sadly the KRG’s budget remains withheld by Baghdad. This has added to the burden on the Kurdistan Region in providing aid to the displaced.

Regarding Article 140, the Prime Minister pointed to the importance of adhering to the Constitution and its articles, stating that Article 140 paves the way for a solution. He added that the KRG wishes to resolve disputes legally, as per the Constitution, even if all such areas are under KRG control. At the same time, he said that “there are no guarantees” or assurances between Erbil and Baghdad, based on past experiences with the Maliki administration, noting that Baghdad still has not released salaries for civil servants working in the Kurdistan Region.

Wednesday, 27 August 2014 04:30

President Barzani Welcomes Iran Foreign Minister Zarif

President Masoud Barzani met with the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif in Erbil on Tuesday. The two discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists, government formation process in Baghdad and other issues of mutual concern.

Foreign Minister Zarif stated that the Islamic Republic would always stand by the Iraqis, including the people of Kurdistan, against terrorism, adding that the terrorism is a threat everyone, be it Shia, Sunni or Kurds. He further added that it is in the interest of Iran to fight terrorism.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Islamic Republic for their support in the fight against terrorism, and hope that relations between the two sides would continue to grow. He added that terrorism is a threat to all, and that cooperation is needed by all sides to address this threat.

On government formation in Baghdad, Mr Zarif expressed his country’s desire to see an inclusive government formed in Baghdad and urged the Kurds to actively play their role to help form such a government. He said the Islamic Republic would support any agreement reached between Baghdad and Erbil.

President Barzani stated that he supports the efforts to form an inclusive government in Baghdad, adding that there must be guarantees regarding any agreements reached between Erbil and Baghdad.

President Barzani Welcomes Norway's Foreign Minister Børge Brende

President Masoud Barzani met with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brendein Erbil on Tuesday. The President and the the Norwegian Foreign Minister discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists, the humanitarian plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi IDPs, and government formation process in Baghdad.

President Barzani thanked the Norwegian Foreign Minister for his visit and said that this visit demonstrates Norway’s solidarity and support for the Kurdistan Region. Address the plight of hundreds of thousands of IDPs is beyond the capacity of the KRG and there is a dire need for international support and cooperation, said the President.

Foreign Minister Brende said he is visiting to show his country’s solidarity and support to the people of Kurdistan in their struggle against terrorism, adding that the KRG can depend on Norway for both humanitarian and military support. He further added that his country has already provided 25 million US dollars for the humanitarian crisis and it intends to provide an additional 10 million.

President Masoud Barzani Welcomes UK Government Delegation

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with a senior UK government delegation to discuss the humanitarian crisis facing the Kurdistan Region and the threat of ISIS terrorism.

Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Tobias Ellwood, expressed UK government’s support and solidarity with the people and government of the KRG, and added that their government would continue to support the KRG in dealing with the humanitarian crisis facing the Region and also militarily in confronting the ISIS terrorists.

Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening praised the generosity of the people and government of KRG for sheltering and helping large numbers of Iraqi IDPs and Syrian refuges who have sought refuge in Kurdistan. She said that the UK government has committed to provide 23 million British pounds in aid for these IDPs and refugees.

The UK ministers also hailed the progress and development that has been achieved by the KRG over the past ten years, and describing this as a shining example in Iraq, they added the UK government would continue to support this development and progress.

For his part, President Barzani expressed his gratitude for this visit and show of solidarity from the UK government. He stated that the KRG needs international assistance to look after some 1.2 million IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan. The KRG also needs military assistance to confront the ISIS terrorists, added the President.

President Barzani and the UK ministers also discussed the government formation prospects in Baghdad and both sides stressed that meaningful change is required if the many challenges facing the country are to be addressed. The President said the Kurds are seriously working with other sides to form a genuinely inclusive government in Baghdad as soon as possible.

Hungary provides humanitarian assistance to Kurdistan

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (DFR.KRG.org) – Hungary’s Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Tibor Szatmari, met with the Head of the KRG Foreign Relations Department, Minister Falah Mustafa, to express his government’s support for Kurdistan.

Ambassador Szatmari said that Hungary understands the gravity of the humanitarian situation facing Kurdistan, applauding KRG efforts to provide shelter and basics needs to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) taking refuge in the Region.

The Ambassador briefed Minister Mustafa on the humanitarian assistance provided by Hungary to IDPs and Syrian refugees currently in the Kurdistan. Last week, Hungary distributed $60,000 of humanitarian aid to IDPs at Saint Joseph Church in Ainkawa and to refugees at the Bahirka and Darashakran refugee camps.

He noted that Kurdistan shoulders the burden of a humanitarian emergency as well as a fight against an international terrorist organisation; therefore, the international community is responsible for providing humanitarian aid and acting to combat terrorism.

Minister Mustafa expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian assistance provided by Hungary. He noted that this support demonstrates friendship and partnership, and the people and the government of Kurdistan are grateful. He explained the importance of continuous support to alleviate the humanitarian emergency.

Netherlands provides humanitarian aid and non-lethal military equipment to Kurdistan

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (DFR.krg.org) – The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, welcomed the new Head of the Dutch Embassy Liaison Office in Erbil and expressed his government’s gratitude for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and non-lethal military equipment by the Netherlands.

Minister Mustafa congratulated Mr John van der Zande, the new Head of the Liaison Office, on assuming the post, assuring him of the KRG’s continued support for the Dutch mission in Kurdistan.

Mr van der Zande discussed the two shipments of humanitarian assistance already delivered to Erbil by the Netherlands. He also informed Minister Mustafa that the Dutch government has decided to provide non-lethal military equipment to KRG’s Peshmerga forces, beginning with one thousand combat helmets and one thousand bulletproof vests.

Minister Mustafa expressed his government’s appreciation and gratitude regarding these measures. He highlighted the importance of receiving continued support from the international community, emphasising the KRG’s commitment to combat the terrorists.

Both sides also discussed the well-established bilateral relationship between Kurdistan and the Netherlands, exchanging ideas on areas for further cooperation in economic, cultural, and political fields.

The Minister noted his government’s appreciation of the efforts and services of Mr Peter van Leeuwen, Mr van der Zande’s predecessor. Ms Siham Jabali, Assistant Head of the KRG Foreign Relations Department, also attended the meeting.

US Vice President Biden Speaks with President Barzani

United States Vice President Joe Biden spoke with the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Sunday to discuss security and political challenges facing Iraq.

The US Vice President praised the recent successes of the peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and reiterated US government support for them. On the political process in Baghdad, he expressed his government’s hope that a new government can be formed on sound basis and one which can revive trust and can address all the challenges facing the country.

President Barzani Meets German Parliamentary Delegation

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with a German parliamentary delegation today to discuss bilateral relations as well as political and security developments in Iraq.

Chairman of the German parliament’s CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Volker Kauder, and Deputy Chairman of the group Andreas Schockenhoff, relayed the greetings of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to President Barzani and expressed their country’s strong support for the KRG in its war against the ISIS terrorists.

They said Germany would support the KRG, both on the humanitarian front in dealing with the hundreds of thousands o IDPs, and on the military front by proving military equipment to the peshmerga forces. The German parliamentarians praised the KRG and its leadership for providing a safe refuge of Yezidis, Christians, and other minorities fleeing from ISIS and seeking refuge in Kurdistan.

For his part, President Barzani stated that the KRG is proud to fight the ISIS terrorists on behalf of the free world, adding that with international support, the peshmerga forces soon defeat the terrorists. The President also expressed his appreciation for Germany for its support and solidarity with the people of Kurdistan.

More...

Prime Minister Barzani tells Christian leaders that international coalition is needed to defeat ISIS

KRG Prime Minister Barzani: ‘We are sad and shocked’ by the killing of James Foley

Kurdistan Region Presidency Strongly Condemns Beheading of American Journalist

Italian PM Renzi Visits Erbil, Meets President Barzani

Start
Prev
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
Next
End

Page 59 of 77