Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan region of Iraq in Tehran pointing out that Kurds believe to halt ISIS to grow in the region said: we prefer our friends (Iran) to be the forerunner of this.

Nazem Dabbagh the representative KRG in Iran talking with foreign policy and international reporter of Fars News Agency concerning the formation of a real coalition against ISIS said: to attack ISIS as a terrorist group is a general benefit. If these happens any point in the world, it will be good. In my opinion the difference between powers causes ISIS to penetrate deeper in the region. It is no different which the leader of the fighting against ISIS is America, Iran, Kurd or Arab. Their complete destruction is only important. He reminded: Kurds have tribal and geographical considerations in common and is close to this country and it is unchangeable. According to the close relationship with I.R of Iran we welcome this that I.R. of Iran takes more actions against ISIS. In current situations we support to attach ISIS and this is not different, and we have always emphasized that there is a good relation between Iran and Kurdistan Region and we witnessed this in Mr. Zarif news meeting when he was in Erbil concerning how to have bilateral cooperation.

He stated: what I am asking is that not to let these differences on concerns in the region causes ISIS grow. I prefer our friends (Iran) to be forerunner of this. There are Ba’ath and other group grown by Takfiri and it was they who created the Syrian and Iraqi government. Nazem Dabbagh also pointed out at the end: maybe now we witness them weakening but we get carless this weakness causes them to grow. I.R. of Iran, Europe and America have to do something till ISIS get destructed but weakened.  

Stockholm, Sweden (dfr.gov.krd) - Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallstrom, today received Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, to discuss bilateral ties and latest humanitarian and security developments in Kurdistan and the wider region.

In welcoming Minister Mustafa and his accompanying delegation, Foreign Minister Wallstrom said, “We enjoy excellent relations with the Kurdistan Region and we are eager and willing to expand and further strengthen this relation for the benefit of both sides.”

Minister Mustafa thanked Foreign Minister Wallstrom for her hospitality and expressed the strong desire of the Kurdistan Regional Government to benefit form Sweden’s experience and knowledge in further advancing the Kurdistan Region.

The Minister briefed the foreign minister on the Peshmerga advances against the ISIS terrorists and the efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government in dealing with nearly tow million refugees and internally displaced Persons.

Commending the KRG for the hospitality it continues to provide to the Syrian refugees and IDPs, the Foreign Minister pledged that Sweden will continue to provide humanitarian support to the IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region.

Referring to the bravery of Peshmerga forces, the Foreign Minister stated, “Peshmerga forces have proven that they are a reliable force. They have been an important element in the fight against ISIS. There is an urgent need to address the problem of ISIS and to support the Peshmerga forces.”

She added, “The government of Sweden is exploring the possibility of sending military advisor to the Kurdistan Region to train Peshmerga forces.”

Both sides discussed the crimes committed against Yezidis and other minorities by the ISIS terrorists. Foreign Minister Wallstrom conveyed the support of Sweden for the KRG’ efforts in seeking international recognition of terrorist crimes committed against religious and ethnic minorities as acts of genocide.

Considering the strong historical ties and the need to further facilitate cooperation between Kurdistan and Sweden, the KRG Minister emphasized the necessity to upgrade the level of Swedish representation in Erbil to consulate general. The Minister extended an invitation to the Foreign Minister to visit the Kurdistan Region in a near future.

Pointing to the Region’s extensive economic potential, Minister Mustafa stated, “There is a golden opportunity for Swedish companies, our needs represent significant investment potential for your businesses.”

Talking about the role of Kurdish Diaspora in Sweden, both side stressed the importance to make use of all the knowledge and experience of the Kurdish Diaspora in Sweden in strengthening relations between Sweden and the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting was followed by a joint press conference where both ministers responded to questions from reporters.

Mr Karwan Jamal, Deputy Head of DFR, Mr. Shoresh Rahim, KRG Representative to Sweden, Mr. Robert Rydberg, Head of Department for Middle East and North Africa, and Laila Naraghi, political advisor to the minister of foreign affairs as well as other officials from both sides attended the meeting.

Minister Mustafa is on a three-day official visit to Stockholm.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today welcomed German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen in Salahaddin today to discuss German military aid to peshmerga forces.

In a meeting with President Barzani and the military leadership of the KRG, the German defense minister, who was accompanied by a number of security advisors and German members of parliament, reiterated her country’s commitment to stand by the people of Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS terrorists and commended the role of the peshmerga forces in taking the fight to them. She added that Germany would continue to help the KRG by providing weapons and military training to the peshmerga forces.

President Barzani thanked the people and government of German for their decision to assist the KRG and said that the people of Kurdistan are deeply grateful for Germany for coming to their aid. He said that the military aid from Germany has been very effective in battles. He added that with the assistance provided by Germany and other countries, the peshmerga forces now have the upper hand and will continue to push back the ISIS terrorists. But he warned that this will be a drawn-out fight, and the peshmerga require more military assistance and more advanced weapons.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, General John Allen, in Salahaddin today.

General Allen congratulated the recent military successes by peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and commended the leadership and personal supervision of President Barzani in these operations, in particular the breaking of the Mount Sinjar siege and the liberation of the towns of Zummar and Rabia. He added that other countries in the international coalition against ISIS are also all very impressed by the bravery and the sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.

General Allen welcomed the recent military cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad, and reiterated that the United States would continue to support the peshmerga forces.

President Barzani thanked the Unites States, and other coalition countries, for their military support for the peshmerga forces, adding that the people of Kurdistan are very encouraged to have a good friend like the United States behind them. He said that the recent terror attacks in Paris prove that terrorist is a global threat and it needs a global response.

The President and the US Envoy, who was accompanied by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Brett McGurk and US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, also discussed ways of further cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and the military requirements of the peshmerga forces.