Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the US Senator, Pat Roberts.

Senator Roberts expressed his pleasure for visiting the Kurdistan Region, particularly as the visit coincides with the victories marked by Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and its environs.

The Senator stressed that the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, poses a threat to peace and stability and its barbaric acts make it an enemy of mankind and needs to be defeated and eradicated.

He also stressed the importance of the relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region and further strengthening them, including through the increase of US aid to Kurdistan that would help to defeat terrorism.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for Senator Roberts views and stances, and briefed him on the latest political and military developments in the fight against ISIS and Peshmerga forces victories, particularly in the Mount Sinjar.

He also stressed that although the Peshmerga had made significant progress, they need heavy weaponry and more training in order to maintain the region secured. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the United States and the international coalition for their military support and air strikes, which helped Peshmerga forces to achieve these victories.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the conditions of the displaced people, particularly the Yezidis and Christians who fled to the Kurdistan Region, where the Kurdistan people and its government have provided them with as much assistance as possible as well as the provision of security.

He also stressed that the KRG will continue providing assistance to the internally displaced persons for as long as they stay in the Kurdistan Region. He stated that, however, there is no doubt that they are in dire need of greater assistance from the international community. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, on Sunday received Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the latest Peshmarga forces victories and advances in the town of Sinjar and its environs. The Dutch Minister, who visits Kurdistan Region for the first time, congratulated Prime Minister Barzani for these victories and reiterated his country’s humanitarian and military support for the Kurdistan Region.

He highlighted the Netherlands military activities in the fight against terrorism and the participation of his country’s air force at the international coalition against the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as ISIS.

Bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Netherlands were another topic discussed in the meeting. The two sides expressed their willingness to develop these relations, particularly in the sectors of trade, agriculture and energy. They have also discussed the Dutch companies’ activities in the Region and ways to develop them.

Regional political and military developments were also discussed, including the breakthrough agreement, which was concluded earlier this month, between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Region’s role in rebuilding post-2003 Iraq, Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring countries, the Kurdish issue and the peace process in Turkey and Syrian crisis.

Joint Press Conference

In a press conference, held following the meeting, both sides shed light on the topics discussed and answered questions from the press.  

Prime Minister Barzani praised the role of the Netherlands, which is currently involved, as part of the international coalition, in the fight against ISIS and provides assistance to the Peshmerga forces.

He also recalled Netherland’s role in protecting the Kurdistan Region against the repression inflicted by Saddam Hussein’s forces in 1991, which caused a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Kurds.

Prime Minister Barzani said, “We have discussed a range of topics in our meeting, including training of Peshmarga forces, providing humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region to assist the internally displaced and refugees and the Netherlands participation in the development of Kurdistan Region’s economy.”

The Dutch Foreign Minister reiterated that his country will continue its support to the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the field of energy and agriculture.

In the military domain, he pointed out that his country plans to send 100 military experts and trainers to Iraq.

He also commended the Kurdistan people and its government for providing assistance and sheltering such large number of internally displaced and refugees, fleeing ISIS repression in both Iraq and Syria.

The Dutch Foreign Minister welcomed the recent agreement between Erbil and Baghdad describing it as a catalyst for resolving other outstanding issues.

He expressed his country's willingness to participate in the Kurdistan Region’s development.

Sinjar Operations

With regards to the victories marked by Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and its environs in the past few days, the Prime Minister congratulated the Peshmerga forces and expressed his gratitude.

He said, “They have performed their tough duty courageously. As you know that these operations were led under the direct command of Kurdistan Region’s President, Masoud Barzani, who has been monitoring the situation and personally directing the operations in all the positions … Sinjar is very important for us, particularly for President Barzani, which is why he personally participated in these operations.”

He added, “We have liberated large territories, and despite the fact that the entire town of Sinjar is not yet totally freed, there is a remarkable progress and we hope, God willing, to hear good news soon … It is to underline that the Peshmerga forces have marked one of their great victories.”