Erbil, Kurdistan Region, January 24, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received the Iraqi national football team in Erbil this evening.

In a meeting attended by the Minister of Culture and Youth of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Governors of Erbil and Basra, the President of the Iraqi Football Union and a number of officials, President Nechirvan Barzani once again congratulated the Iraqi football team on winning the Gulf Cup held in Basra last week.

The President welcomed the Iraqi national team to the Kurdistan Region and said that the victory of the Iraqi team in the Gulf Cup is a victory for the entire country and celebrated by everyone across Iraq; and on this occasion, people in all cities of the Kurdistan Region expressed their joy.

President Nechirvan Barzani also stressed that this victory was important for Iraq and Iraqis, because it brought together all Iraqis around the victory, and conveyed a message to the world that Iraq has returned and stood up. The President wished continued success for the Iraqi national team and thanked the Governor of Basra, the organizers, security forces and everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament.

For their part, the President of the Iraqi Football Union, the Governor of Basra, the head coaches, players and members of the national team thanked President Nechirvan Barzani for attending the last match of the tournament and also for his support of the Iraqi national football team, expressing their delight over visiting the Kurdistan Region and meeting with the President.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, January 24, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and an accompanying delegation including Ms. Jeanine Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, along with several other UN officials.

The meeting discussed the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on the elections. The Election Commission and the views of all communities on the general elections, Erbil-Baghdad relations, the fight against terrorism, and the status of the Yezidis were also discussed.

In the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani praised the role of the United Nations in Iraq, both in working closely with the relevant parties in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and as an assistant to facilitate the solution of issues and to maintain stability and peace.

Regarding the situation in the Kurdistan Region, the President stressed that the ground is ready for political parties’ meetings, especially between the KDP and the PUK and their talks on the solution of the pending problems which would then pave the way for resolving the issues related to elections and the setting of a voting date.

The President said that Erbil-Baghdad relations and the recent positive atmosphere that has emerged for dialogue between the two sides and the efforts to resolve the issues between them, especially regarding the Iraqi budget law and oil and gas laws and the distribution of revenues, will contribute to further stability and peace in the country.

Both sides reiterated the significance of implementing the agreement on the formation of the Iraqi government and its agenda, as well as the need for continued coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq in the fight against ISIS, especially in the disputed territories of the Article 140. They also stressed the significance of implementing the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government on the status of Shingal.

Iraq’s relations with neighboring and regional countries, and several other issues of common interest were also highlighted at the meeting.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday received former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair in Davos.
Recent developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the region were addressed in the meeting.
Prime Minister Barzani briefed Blair on the reforms of the ninth cabinet, regarding economic diversification, digitalization of public services, and improving the health sector.
Furthermore, the exportation of Kurdish agricultural products to European markets was also highlighted in the meeting.

 

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/january/pm-barzani-discusses-revenue-diversification-with-former-uk-prime-minister/

Baghdad, Iraq, January 21, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met today in Baghdad with the United States Ambassador to Iraq Ms. Alina Romanowski.

The meeting discussed Erbil-Baghdad relations and the latest developments in the talks between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides. In this context, both sides stressed the importance of resolving the issues for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and agreed that the resolution of the disagreements will contribute to stability in Iraq and the wider region.

For her part, Ms. Romanowski reiterated the US support for the dialogues and the efforts to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad and expressed her appreciation for President Nechirvan Barzani’s constructive role and efforts to resolve the pending issues.

Discussions also covered the developments in the Kurdistan Region and the importance of unity among Kurdistan parties. The reorganization and reforms of the Ministry of Peshmerga, the development of relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with the United States and expanding areas of joint cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest were also highlighted.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-us-ambassador-to-iraq-2/