Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Hussain al-Shahristani, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Federal Government of Iraq.

The two sides discussed the current political, military and security situation in Iraq, as well as the economic and financial situation in the country. They also discussed the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and ways to address the outstanding problems.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Dr Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff of Kurdistan Region President, Prime Minister Barzani briefed the Iraqi Minister about the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in the Kurdistan Region and the progress made by Peshmerga forces.

Prime Minister Barzani also talked in details about the economic situation and the financial crisis and its repercussions in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Hussain al-Shahristani visited Kurdistan Region, representing the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr. Haider al-Abadi, to attend the consecration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa, the new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, which was held in Saint Yohana Church in Ainkawa district of Erbil.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani attended the consecration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa, the new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in Saint Yohana Church in Ainkawa-Erbil.

The ceremony was also attended by representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, representatives of the President of Iraq and Iraqi Prime Minister, and the Iraqi Council of Representatives.  Also attending, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, a number of ministers and members of the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament, and officials of the Kurdistan Region. The ceremony also included representatives of diplomatic missions in the Kurdistan Region, and a number of religious figures and dignitaries of the Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa spoke of the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to the Middle East at Erbil as an important and sacred event.

He highlighted the role played by the Kurdistan Region in protecting Christians and promoting religious and ethnic coexistence. He praised Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in protecting the rights of ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among Christian churches, particularly at this moment.

He expressed his wish that security and prosperity will return to Iraq, and that religious, cultural and ethnic diversity will be protected.

Following a banquet lunch which was served in honor of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa in Saad Abdulla Hall in Erbil, the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his support and wish for success of the Assyrian Church of the East, and that it plays its role in returning peace to the region during these difficult times.

Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi described the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to Erbil as a significant and historic event. He expressed his and the Governorate's full support to the Assyrian Church of the East.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani visited His Holiness Mar Gorgis III, the new patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil today to congratulate His Holiness and to welcome the relocation of the seat of the Assyrian Church of the East from Chicago, USA, to Erbil.

Hi Holiness Mar Gorgis III was consecrated as the new patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East on Sunday, in a ceremony that also marked the relocation of the seat of the Church to Erbil.

The President lauded the decision to bring the seat of the Assyrian Church of the East to the Kurdistan Region, describing it as a significant and historic development that will positively contribute to peaceful co-existence in the region. The President said that there shall be no place for religious discrimination in the Kurdistan Region. President Barzani emphasized that the rights of Christians and all other religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan will be protected. 

For his part, His Holiness Mar Gorgis III welcomed President Barzani and expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the President and of the KRG for their support of the religious and ethnic minorities. He added that Kurdistan offers a notable example of peaceful co-existence in the Middle East. He also praised the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in defending religious and ethnic communities in the fighting against ISIS terrorists. 

In a message on the occasion of the Muslim Eid of Al Adha, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani congratulated the Muslims of Kurdistan and the whole world. He also talked about the presidency issue and the need for a speedy resolution of this issue. 

"At a time when our people are going through a challenging time and is facing major threats, there was no need to approach the presidency issue in the way it has been handled. I have done what I was required to do (by law) by calling for elections before the end of the presidency’s tenure but it was not possible to conduct elections. 

"Earlier, I had on several occasions called on the political parties and the parliament to resolve this issue but to no avail. I have not in any way requested to stay on as president. I reject all notions that there are no candidates to succeed me. I am very concerned about how this issue has been protracted. The people of Kurdistan have the right to complain, especially when we are facing pressing issues like the disputes with Baghdad, the economic crisis, the drop in oil prices, the large number of displaced people in Kurdistan, and above all the fight against the ISIS terrorists."

The President further stated that, "If the current 5-party meetings do not succeed, all political parties- those in parliament and those outside the parliament, must convene in order to reach a suitable solution. I fully understand the rule of law and I, more than anyone else, should respect the law. I suggest that that all political parties make a decision that, before 2017, the powers and the election mechanism of the president be formulated in the constitution so that the people will have the final say on this matter. Whether I stay on as president or not, should not become part of the problem of deciding on the powers and mechanisms for electing the president, as these are two separate issues. "

President Barzani paid tribute to the resilience of the people of Kurdistan and thanked them for their patience.

"I greatly appreciate the patience of the people of Kurdistan for standing firm in the face of current challenges. I also understand the problems that our youth face. I ask them that instead of leaving their country, they should strengthen their hope. We have serious problems but we can overcome them. The reform process that we started several years ago should be rejuvenated. No crisis can stand in the way of our people to decide their future. My priority is the realization of the right of our people to decide their future and to end the threat of ISIS on our people," said the President at the end of his statement.