News

PM Masrour Barzani meets UNAMI chief

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday met UNAMI chief Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

Both sides discussed the latest developments in Iraq including the elections, the role of international monitoring teams and the UN’s contribution to a successful poll.

They hoped the new Iraqi government will serve everyone fairly.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/october/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-unami-chief/

Variety, the reputable film magazine, and publish a news by independent international journalist, Mansour Jahani

Variety, the reputable film magazine, has published a news from Mansour Jahani, the independent international journalist, in regards to the success and achievements of Tehran International Short Film Festival among the Oscar Qualified festivals.

The important and incredible magazine, Variety, published this report under the title ‘“Tehran International Short Film Festival Named An Academy Award Qualified Festival”it’s been written: The Movie which will receive the main international prize at the Tehran Short Film Festival festival will be eligible to be introduce to Oscar directly.

The Tehran Intl. Short Film Festival is organized by the Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS). Few other festivals in the region have received this honor - Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India are the only nearby countries with Academy Award-qualifying festivals, according to IYCS and festival director Sadeq Musavi, who also said there are only 127 short film festivals worldwide that provide Oscar eligibility.

“At present, there are over 10,000 festivals being organized across the world. Most of them are unreliable. Meanwhile, the Tehran International Short Festival has a good status in the world. Although the festival is not decidedly familiar, it can be considered as the most important short film festival in West Asia,” Musavi said. “Free registration will be set aside after the restrictions on international payments are lifted, and, like other festivals, we will collect a registration fee from participants and the festival will be able to cover all its expenses.” Musavi also said that the festival is the only one in the region to offer a free admission program.

The Tehran short film festival takes place every year in October and is a member of Intl. Short Film Conference. The 2020 edition of the festival screened 55 films, which were produced across five different continents.

For more details:
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/film-news-in-brief-september-20-1235069493/

PM Masrour Barzani meets Head of EU office

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met Marie Paret, head of the EU’s Erbil Liaison Office.

The PM congratulated Marie Paret on her new role before addressing the ninth cabinet’s economic reforms and improved provision of services.

The EU official expressed the bloc’s wish to cooperate more with the KRG and boost bilateral ties.

Iraqi elections, monitoring mechanisms, and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad were also discussed.

Kurdistan Region President receives Ambassador of Qatar

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 30, 2021

Kurdistan Region President received Mr. Khalid bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, the Ambassador of Qatar to Iraq, in Erbil on Thursday.

Discussions covered Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Qatar and ways to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in economy and commerce, and encouraging Qatari investments in different areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Discussions also focused on the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, the importance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with neighboring and regional countries, the upcoming Iraqi elections and other topics of mutual interest.

PM Masrour Barzani meets Swedish parliamentary delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met a delegation of two Swedish MPs, Hakan Svenneling and Yasmine Posio.

They discussed the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s upcoming elections.

The living conditions of all of Kurdistan Region’s diverse communities were discussed, along with the implementation of the Shingal agreement, refugees, IDPs and how to ease their return.

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with a visiting US delegation

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 30, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Ms. Jennifer Gavito, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran and Iraq, in Erbil on Thursday.

At the meeting, also attended by the US Consul General, the relations of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with the United States were highlighted. Ms. Gavito reaffirmed that the US views Iraq as a significant partner and stressed that the US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are friendly based on long-term strategic partnership which cover many areas. Ms. Gavito viewed the stability of Iraq as important and necessary to maintain stability in the wider region. Both sides agreed that this visit is important and timely to demonstrates the US engagement with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Mrs. Gavito reiterated America’s commitment to continue its support for reforms in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the reorganization of the Ministry’s forces, noting that the US can assist and participate in the Kurdistan Region in other areas including in security, energy, economy and education. She also referred to her visit to Erbil Castle and the restoration process at the historical site, stressing that they will encourage American investments in the Kurdistan Region, particularly through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) which provides financial support to investment projects.

President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Mrs. Gavito on assuming the new office, commended the continued US support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and reiterated the readiness of the Kurdistan Region to strengthen relations with the US and to expand mutual cooperation. The President also referred to the increasing investment opportunities for American businesses in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Discussions also covered the upcoming elections in Iraq and the importance of the ongoing preparations to hold fair and free polls in the country. The President hoped that the elections would provide another opportunity for all Iraqi forces and parties to work together and implement the Constitution and the federal system.

The Iraq-US Strategic Dialogue, the latest political and security developments in Iraq, the challenges facing the country, the threats of terrorism and ISIS operations in Iraq and the wider region, the tasks of the International Coalition in Iraq, the relations of Erbil and Baghdad and other issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.

PM Masrour Barzani meets new Hungarian Consul General

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met Attila Toth, Hungary’s new Consul General to Erbil.

PM Barzani congratulated Toth on assuming office, wishing him luck.

The Consul General pledged Hungary places great value on coexistence in the Kurdistan Region and wants deeper ties, especially in trade and investment.

PM Masrour Barzani met the head of the EU Election Observation Mission

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday met Viola von Cramon, head of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission.

Prime Minister Barzani praised the EU role and hoped for a fraud and violence-free election, especially in disputed territories.

He also expressed KRG’s readiness to support and cooperate with the mission.

Viola von Cramon briefed Prime Minister Barzani that their role is to observe and not to interfere in the election process.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/september/pm-masrour-barzani-met-the-head-of-the-eu-election-observation-mission/

Kurdistan Region President meets with UK Secretary of Education

London, UK, September 16, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Mr. Nadim Zahawi, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of Education, in London on Friday.

During the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Mr. Zahawi on assuming the office and wished him success in his new mission as the new Secretary of Education in the UK.

The President stated: It’s an honor to see a Kurd hold an important ministerial position in Britain with great achievements in his political and administrative career.

The President underlined the importance of Kurdistan Region benefiting from the experiences and successes of the UK in education and school system, especially in vocational education which is highly important for the Kurdistan Region.

For his part, Mr. Zahawi expressed delight in meeting President Nechirvan Barzani who was heading the first official delegation from outside of the UK visiting the incoming Secretary of Education.

Mr. Zahawi reiterated the willingness of the United Kingdom to cooperate with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in education and stated that the Kurdistan Region, as other countries in the Middle East, can benefit from their joint cooperation.

Discussions also focused on the developments in Iraq and the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/kurdistan-region-president-meets-with-uk-secretary-of-education/

PM Masrour Barzani meets with Iraqi President

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday met with Iraqi President Barham Salih.

During the meeting the latest developments in Iraq and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad were discussed.

Both sides emphasized the importance of solving outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

The forthcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections and need for a fair and transparent voting system that takes into account the rights of the entire population were also discussed.