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President Barzani Meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The President and the Crown Prince discussed the political and security situation in Iraq and in the region, especially the threat from ISIS terrorists. President Barzani expressed his hope that the UAE and its companies can further contribute to the development of the Kurdistan Region.

They also discussed the plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan.

PM Barzani and Egyptian Ambassador discuss bilateral relations

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Ahmad Hassan Darwish, and his accompanying delegation.

Ambassador Darwish highlighted historical relations between Kurdistan and the Egyptian people, hoping to expand those relations particularly in the economic fields of trade and investment. He pointed out that Egyptian investors are keen to boost investment in Iraq in general and in the Kurdistan Region in particular.

He praised the determination of Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS. He also commended the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and the people of Kurdistan for accommodating and offering assistance to over 1.7 million refugees and internally displaced people, IDPs, who fled ISIS repression and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding relations between the KRG and the Iraq Federal Government, Mr. Darwish expressed his wishes for the settlement of differences through dialog on the basis of the federal Constitution.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated the historic relations between the two nations, expressing the KRG’s readiness to develop and strengthen bilateral relations and provide assistance to Egyptian investors. He highlighted continuing victories by Peshmerga forces in the war against ISIS and mentioned the anticipated military operation to liberate Mosul.

On relations with Baghdad, he emphasized that the Iraq Constitution must be implemented fully, and expressed the Kurdistan Region’s desire to settle issues with Baghdad through negotiations.

Regarding the issue of displaced people, Prime Minister Barzani affirmed that his government and the people of the Kurdistan Region will continue to do their best to assist and accommodate refugees and internally displeased people.

Friday, 05 June 2015 09:00

Nazem Dabbagh Talk with ILNA News Agency: to Form an Anti-ISIS Coalition; a Pretext for the USA to Reenter Iraq

When Saddam ruling Iraq Ba’athists were on power. There were thoughts of Ba’ath party growing and in Syria also Salafist and Takfirist got united as a special organization; those thoughts of Ba’ath dominated this unity and caused a singularity between terrorists and Syria and called themselves “Islamic State of Iraq and Sham”, namely, ISIS. The representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, describing the reasons and roots of the formation of ISIS terrorists group, considered the coalition against terrorists as a pretext to reenter Iraq. He believes that the USA has experienced three strategies to enter Iraq: the first experience was Persian Gulf War against Saddam, the second was getting out the Nuri Al-Maliki from Iraq and the third was to attack ISIS.

Nazem Omar Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in talk with ILNA News Agency reporter, about the hidden goals of ISIS to appear said: ISIS is not something to emerge suddenly but there were factors to support ISIS and there was an atmosphere in which it could grow. In Syria and Iraq this appropriate atmosphere was prepared. Emphasizing that in the history such concerns are obviously mentioned he added as Justice and Development party coming to power in Turkey, it has formed especial closeness between this country with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Relating bombing ISIS positions by America he said ILNA: it is benefit to America to use air raid rather than disembarking his forces to reduce expenditures since in his view. America public reflections cannot accept their soldiers to be killed in Iraq.

Dabbagh shortened Turkey’s policy change in two cases. The first is to take advantage by letting medicines and altruism aids pass from his country and the second was that through being a member of NATO and accepting some commitments and being asked by the members to make his role against ISIS clear he had to change his policy. In addition he believes that some countries allied with America in fight against ISIS also support this group have vague role. Stating that the coalition and allying to uproot ISIS in the region have to be serious Dabbagh said: to vanish ISIS in the region this group must be destroyed to the core like to cut the financial and human resources and stop supporting it.

Thursday, 11 June 2015 09:00

Nazem Dabbagh Talk with Neshan On-Line: Pishmerga must be of Military and security Forces of Iraq

It was exactly short time ago that the domestic disputes made Iraq exposed to be separated. However these days the phenomena of ISIS, the special conditions and necessities of Iraq have caused Iraq to be convergent. Recently Nechrivan Barezani the Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region of Iraq has traveled to Baghdad and has signed an agreement draft to dissolve the disputes. Then Hushiar Zibari in a talk with Al-Arabieh stating that the time to operate to free Mosul had arrived announced the basic role of Kurdish Pishmerga besides Iraq Army against ISIS in this operation. Concerning this Neshan On-Line conducted an interview with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran as followed.

In the response to the first question relating to the formation of national unity in Iraq he answered: after having traveled of Mr. Nechirvan Barezani and the accompanying delegation to Baghdad, agreements about the budget, how to sell oil etc. were made. Presently we hope and wait these agreements to be met. The advancement and performance of the agreements make the conditions of Iraq better.

He also considered Hushiar Zibari’s speeches about Pishmerga forces’ cooperation with Iraq army as an indication of the effects of between agreements and added: when we, Kurds, say Pishmerga forces must be of military and security of Iraq we indeed mean that missions should involve all forces including Pishmerga and they take part in defending Iraq. He also considered the cooperation between Iraq army and Pishmerga pleasant but deemed the development of collaborations in the fields of defending and supporting requires new negotiation.

Thursday, 11 June 2015 18:00

Nazem Dabbagh Talk with Iran-Farda Weekly: Kubane is the Reputation of Kurds

Iran-Farda Weekly concerning the disability of ISIS to occupy Kubani by Kurdish women and men’s brave resistance had an interview with Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran, of which the main lines follow:

About the fortune of Syrian Kurds during history Dabbagh said that Kurds was put between two emperors of Ottoman and Abbasside and got divided into four groups after ottoman’s fall. While Syrian Kurds had not the right of citizen, there was no choice to resist and confront with central government. Some of them abandoned their homes migrated to other countries. Therefore, Syrian Kurds have been affected by P.K.K group believed to form a Kurdish government in all Kurdish regions of the Middle East.

In his view, before Ocalan, the leader of P.K.K, captured Syrian Kurds had not that freedom of action. He also believes that Bashar Assad’s rude behavior toward Muslim-Brotherhood and Slafi caused them to be united. The next matter relating to Syria was the foreign interference that was generally made by the regional countries. Thus, it was in such atmosphere that Kurds with the record of fighting could after while grew fairly independent from central government. When the oppositions against Bashar Assad started Kurds decided to be neutral, since they did not know which side would defend their rights. Following changes indicated that these doubts were true and pertinent. Dabbagh believes Kubani was surrounded through three parts of which by ISIS and one led to Turkey borders, namely, it was like an island in ISIS’s dominion. Turkey stimulated ISIS to attack this town, whereas it is an important point for KRG of Iraq. Infact Kubani is the part of those regions that some Arabian rulers, Ba’ath in especial, wanted to eliminate it from non-Arabians. He said it was due to this resistance that Kubani turned to be the reputation for Kurds. Had it fallen, the secrecy of their resistance would, too.

About the participation of women in the resistance against ISIS Dabbagh said: they for some reasons have had effective role in Kurdish triumph. Firstly there were many of them in the regions where Pishmergas were fighting. Indeed they were in the confluence spot of Kurds and governments. Like Mrs. Hiru Ibrahim, Mr. Jalal Talibani’s wife, always accompany him in the process of resistance. But Kubane was the scene that women were directly fighting, since when inhumanity increase, so does the resistance.

Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers condemns Diyarbakir bomb attack

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In a statement, the Kurdistan regional Government Council of Ministers strongly condemned the bomb attach which targeted a mass electoral gathering in the city of Diyarbakir.

Following is the text of the statement:

We strongly condemn the bomb attack, yesterday evening, which targeted a mass electoral rally of People’s Democratic Party, HDP, in the city of Diyarbakir, killing a number of citizens and wounding scores of them.

At the time when we express our deep sorrow and condolences to the families of those killed, we wish a prompt recovery for the injured.

We hope that all the sides will resort only to legal procedures, and that this cowardly act would not lead to irresponsible reactions in the last days of the electoral campaign, and would not disturb the general atmosphere and the conduct of the electoral process.

Council of Ministers
Kurdistan Regional Government

6 June 2015

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.