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 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.

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.

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.