News

President Nechirvan Barzani welcomes President Katalin Novak of Hungary to Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, December 9, 2022

President Nechirvan Barzani received the Hungarian President Ms. Katalin Novak at the Erbil International Airport today Friday. President Novak is on an official trip to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region where she will visit Hungarian troops stationed in the country as part of the International Coalition against ISIS.

Later today, President Novak will visit the Hungarian forces and the humanitarian projects implemented under the supervision of the Hungarian Cooperation Program in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani and President Novak will hold a meeting this evening to discuss Hungary’s bilateral relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, their collective cooperation, and the latest developments in Iraq and the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-president-of-hungary/

PM Masrour Barzani receives letter from Italian counterpart

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received a letter from the new Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

In the letter, Prime Minister Meloni highlighted the friendly and historical relationship Italy and the Kurdistan Region share, emphasizing her country’s willingness to strengthen bilateral relationship with the Region in the fields of trade, agriculture, and energy.

Prime Minister Meloni also recognized the joint efforts by Italy and the Kurdistan Region’s in maintaining stability and security.

She also expressed her hope that the new Iraqi government will strengthen Erbil-Baghdad relations to reach a common ground of peace, development, and prosperity.

“I look forward to seeing you and meeting with you at the earliest chance,” Prime Minister Meloni wrote to Prime Minister Barzani.

08 Dec 2022

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2022/december/pm-masrour-barzani-receives-letter-from-italian-counterpart/

PM Masrour Barzani receives a German delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received a German diplomatic delegation led by the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tobias Tunkel.

Prime Minister Barzani discussed ways to strengthen the already strong bilateral relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Germany with the delegation.

Both sides also discussed Iraq’s current situation, the implementation of the Shingal Agreement, the expulsion of outlawed militias and armed forces, as well as providing the conditions for the safe return of IDPs to their homes

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2022/december/pm-masrour-barzani-receives-a-german-delegation/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Germany

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, December 7, 2022

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Tobias Tunkel, the Director of the Middle East at the German Foreign Affairs Ministry, and an accompanying delegation which included the German Ambassador to Baghdad and the Consul General in the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting focused on the bilateral relations of Germany with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in the wider region, the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the bilateral relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with the neighboring countries.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his appreciation for Germany’s military and humanitarian support to the Kurdistan Region in the war against terrorism and shared his observations of his recent visit to Baghdad where he held series of meetings with high Iraqi officials and leaders.

Mr. Tobias Tunkel spoke about the purpose and program of his visit to the Kurdistan Region, and expressed his country’s willingness to continue to cooperate with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and to support Erbil and Baghdad resolve their pending issues.

The security situation in the wider region, the status of the refugees, facilitating their safe return to their home areas, and the implementation of the Shingal agreement were also highlighted, reiterating the continued humanitarian support of Germany to the refugees.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-a-delegation-of-the-foreign-affairs-ministry-of-germany/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives the incoming Ambassador of Sweden

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, December 6, 2022

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil the incoming Ambassador of Sweden to Iraq, Ms. Jessica Svardstrom. The President congratulated Ms. Svardstrom on assuming the office, wished her success in her duties, and voiced full support for the Ambassador’s mission in the country.

Discussions also focused on bilateral relations of Sweden with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and ways to further develop cooperation, especially in areas of shared interests.

The developments in the Kurdistan Region, opportunities for Swedish businesses and investments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in Iraq, and the continued fight against terrorism were also highlighted.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-incoming-ambassador-of-sweden/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives the incoming Consul General of the Netherlands

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, December 4, 2022

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil the incoming Consul General of the Netherlands to the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Jaco Beerends. The President welcomed the new Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, congratulated him on assuming the office, and wished him success in his new duties. He also voiced the Kurdistan Region Presidency’s full support for the Consul General’s mission in the country.

Both sides emphasized their mutual willingness to develop bilateral relations in all areas, especially in the field of agriculture. For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the gratitude of the Kurdistan Region to the Netherlands for its continuous support to the Kurdistan Region during the war against ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani receives British Consul General

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received the British Consul General to Erbil, David Hunt, as his diplomatic assignment in the Kurdistan Region comes to an end.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Consul General Hunt for his efforts at strengthening bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and the Kurdistan Region during his time as Consul and wished him luck in his next role.

The British Consul General highlighted the strong relations the UK and the Region share, particularly after Prime Minister Barzani’s visit to Britain earlier this year which was seen as a positive turning point in the development of the Kingdom and the Kurdistan Region’s ties.

Both sides also discussed the Ninth Cabinet’s reform agenda, resolving Erbil-Baghdad disputes, as well as protecting the sovereignty and security of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2022/december/prime-minister-barzani-receives-british-consul-general/

PM Masrour Barzani receives China’s Consul General

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received the Chinese Consul General to Erbil, Ni Ruchi, as his diplomatic assignment in the Kurdistan Region comes to completion.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Consul General Ruchi for his role in boosting his country’s relations with the Kurdistan Region, and wished him luck in his upcoming responsibilities.

The Consul General expressed his appreciation for the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) continued cooperation with the Chinese consulate and the Chinese citizens residing in the Kurdistan Region. He also praised the Ninth Cabinet’s efforts in developing the Region by carrying out strategic projects strengthening the economy.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2022/december/pm-masrour-barzani-receives-china-s-consul-general/

PM Masrour Barzani receives new Japanese Ambassador to Iraq

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received the new Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto.

Prime Minister Barzani congratulated Ambassador Matsumoto on his new role and expressed the support of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for forging closer ties between the Kurdistan region and Japan.

Ambassador Matsumoto briefed the Prime Minister about Japan’s projects in Iraq and the Region, especially in the energy, construction, and humanitarian fields.

The meeting touched upon the possibility of working together to improve education in schools in the Kurdistan Region given Japan's expertise in this sector.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2022/november/pm-masrour-barzani-receives-new-japanese-ambassador-to-iraq/

PM Masrour Barzani meets with US Congress delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today met with a United States Congressional delegation led by Mark Takano.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the US for its continued support, while emphasizing that the Kurdistan Region will remain a factor of stability and security in Iraq and the region.

Both discussed the latest developments in Iraq and the Region, while highlighting the importance of protecting their sovereignty, stability, and security. The meeting also touched upon Erbil-Baghdad ties, as well as unifying Peshmerga forces - as part of the government reform process - and the concerted efforts of uniting Kurdish parties.

The US Congressional delegation confirmed its support for the Kurdistan Region and praised the peaceful coexistence within the Region and its strong bilateral relationship with the US.