Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – In the presence of the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Ambassador of the European Union in Iraq Jana Hybaskova, Head of KRG Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa, several KRG ministers and members of the diplomatic community, today the European Union Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil, Kurdistan Region was officially opened.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini and Ambassador Hybaskova for their important role in the opening of the EU liaison office in Erbil.

“We seek the support of the EU to enhance our system of governance and we believe that the Kurdistan Region is entitled to receive its fair share of assistance from the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on 11th of May, 2012,” Prime Minister Barzani added.

The KRG Prime Minister expressed appreciation and gratitude of the people and the government of Kurdistan to the members of EU for their military and political support during this challenging time. He also called upon the EU members to continue supporting the KRG in dealing with the humanitarian and security challenges facing the region.

The Prime Minister also called for the moral and political support of the EU to the KRG’s effort to gain international recognition of the crimes committed against Yezidi Kurds and other components as acts of genocide. He said, “The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the mass atrocities committed against Yezidi Kurds and other components.”

Ambassador Hybaskova expressed her delight at the opening of the EU Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil and stressed that the opening of the office will be a step forward to further strengthen ties between the EU and the Kurdistan Region.

The EU Ambassador to Iraq highly praised the role of Peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS and stated, “The Peshmerga forces are the real force and the only effective force on the ground fighting the ISIS terrorists.”

Commenting on the opening of the EU Office in Erbil, Minister Mustafa said, “We thank the EU for responding positively to the need of opening an office in the Kurdistan Region. We would like to see increased engagement from the EU to support the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional government during this challenging time.”

The Minister also expressed the readiness of the Department of Foreign Relations to fully support the EU mission in Kurdistan Region and to facilitate further cooperation between the KRG and the EU.

Patrick Geysen, Head of the EU Delegation Liaison Office in Erbil stated, “I will do my best to deepen and strengthen the already existing ties between the EU and the Kurdistan Region.”

Zagreb, Croatia (dfr.gov.krd/cabinet.gov.krd) - The Croatian capital, Zagreb, last week witnessed a series of cultural events on Kurdistan Region and political meetings between Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and Croatian senior officials.

A delegation from KRG Department of Foreign Relations, headed by Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the Department, took part at the 49th International Folklore Festival, which took place in Zagreb between 15 and 19 July 2015. At the sideline of the Zagreb Folklore Festival, the Kurdish-Croatian cultural week was held.

On Sunday, 19 July 2015, Minister Mustafa attended the final ceremony of Zagreb International Festival where the Kurdistan national team for traditional art performed Kurdish folklore dance.

Commenting on the importance of the Kurdish-Croatian cultural week, Mr. Mustafa stressed that “The event provided a good opportunity for participants to experience authentic culture and heritage of Kurdistan. Such events can further promote cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between the people of Kurdistan and the people of Croatia.”

The following day, Mr. Mustafa participated in a seminar and photo exhibition on Anfal at the Croatian National Archive. He said, “Every civilisation, every culture, every people has a defining time in their history. For the Kurds of Iraq, that time was the Anfal.  It was the time when we faced death at hands of a determined enemy inside our own country, but survived to prosper.”

During his visit to Croatia, Minister Falah Mustafa also held meetings with senior officials including the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ms Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

At the meeting with Croatian President, Mr. Mustafa discussed bilateral ties between Kurdistan Region and Croatia as well as the current situation in the region.

They discussed the military and humanitarian difficulties facing the Kurdistan Region and stressed the necessity of regional and international cooperation to eradicate international terrorism and to restore stability in the Middle East.

Mr. Mustafa expressed his gratitude for Croatia’s contribution to the Counter-ISIS Coalition and noted that Peshmerga forces are still in need of weapons, ammunition and military training.

The Minister also referred to the challenges facing KRG in caring for close to 1.8 million refugees and internally displaced people, IDPs, and called for further international support.

President Kitarović stated that Croatia understands the difficulties facing the Kurdistan Region and reiterated Croatia’s commitment to continue supporting Kurdistan Region in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

KRG Head of Foreign Relations was also received by Chief of staff of the President of Republic of Croatia, defence and national security and foreign policy advisors to the President.

Mr. Domagoj Juricic, Chief of staff to the Croatian president, commended the role of Peshmerga forces in stopping the advance of ISIS and valued the KRG’s humanitarian response to the influx of refugees and IDPs to the Kurdistan Region.

He said, “We consider the Kurdistan Region as a partner, we are determined to further broaden our ties and to continue our cooperation in various fields.”

In his meeting with Mr. Mustafa, Mr. Dario Mibelin, foreign policy advisor to the President of Croatia said, “We appreciate the efforts of President Masoud Barzani in leading the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS terrorists. Kurdistan Region has been an island of stability, religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and prosperity.”

Mr. Josip Buljevic, defence and national security advisor to the president stressed that, “Religious extremism is an international phenomenon; therefore the international community has a shared responsibility to fight international terrorist groups. Croatia, as a member of the Counter ISIS Coalition is committed to continue supporting the Kurdistan Region in this fight.”

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Italian Minister of Defence, Ms. Roberta Pinotti and her accompanying delegation, which included the Italian Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, the Italian army Chief of Staff and a number of diplomats and military officials.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, and a number of Kurdistan Regional Government Ministers and officials, Ms. Pinotti reaffirmed her government’s appreciation for the role played by the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga Forces in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and in defending and  protecting the  various communities in the Kurdistan Region.

She said that the Kurdistan Region enjoys a high reputation at the global level as its Peshmerga Forces defend civilisation against barbarity.

While she praised the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government for having accommodated and offered assistance to a large number of refugees and displaced persons, who fled ISIS violent repression and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, Ms. Roberta Pinotti expressed her country’s readiness to help this vulnerable population.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Italian people and government for their continuous support, recalling Italian Prime Minister's visit last year, when ISIS began attacking Kurdistan.

The two sides discussed Italy’s military support to the Peshmerga Forces and humanitarian aid to the refugees and IDPs.

Ms. Pinotti and her accompanying delegation arrived Kurdistan Region last night and were received at Erbil International Airport by Mustafa Sayid Qadir, Minister for Peshmerga Affairs, Falah Mustafa, head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Rezan Qadir, KRG representative in Italy.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (dfr.gov.krd) – Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of KRG Department of Foreign Relations today received the Canadian Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Bruno Saccomani and his accompanying delegation to discuss the tragic incident that resulted in the death of the Canadian Armed Forces Member, Sergeant Andrew Joseph Doiron.

Commenting on the incident, Ambassador Saccomani stated, “It was an incredibly unfortunate incident. We hope that we can increase our level of communication in order to prevent such incidents from happening. Sergeant Doiron lost his life in the line of duty. We will honor and remember his service to Canada.”

He added, “We value our allies and we consider the Kurdistan Region as an ally. Canada is here to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS. Members of international community have a moral obligation to fight terrorism and extremism. We are committed to continue fighting the ISIS as part of the international coalition, within the present Canadian Government Approved Mission.”

Reiterating the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Ambassador stressed, “We are proud of our involvement in the fight against ISIS, and grateful to the men and women to whom it falls to carry out our commitment to peace and security.”

Minister Falah Mustafa said, “In the name of the Kurdistan Regional Government, we express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Doiron as well as the people and the government of Canada. We will honor and remember his service to the Kurdistan Region. We wish those injured a speedy recovery.”

He added, “Since the beginning of the ISIS attacks on the Kurdistan Region, the government of Canada has been at the forefront of the international coalition against ISIS. Canada has been a critical partner in the fight against ISIS. The people and the government of the Kurdistan Region are very appreciative of Canada’s continued support.”

The KRG Ministry of Peshmerga issued a statement today stating that a committee has been formed to investigate the occurrence of the tragic incident and to work on preventing such an incident from happening.

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.

Washington DC, USA (www.dfr.gov.krd) - Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, called on Brett McGurk of the State Department and several senators and congressmen to introduce the new Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman.

The Minister is in Washington as Ms Abdul Rahman assumes her post as Representative to update Administration officials, congressmen and the media on the peshmerga's advances against ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham)‎ and the need for heavy weapons and humanitarian aid.

The Minister ‎and Representative met Mr McGurk, who is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department, on Tuesday. They thanked him for his support for Kurdistan and Iraq and for the warm welcome with which he received them.

Minister Bakir said, 'We thank the United States for stepping in to assist Kurdistan in 1991, for liberating Iraq in 2003 and then for proving to be our friends again in 2014 when your air strikes boosted the morale of our people and peshmerga against ISIS.'

Ms Abdul Rahman said she looked forward to working with Mr McGurk at this critical time in the US-Kurdistan relationship when they are fighting ISIS terrorists together.

Mr McGurk agreed that the United States and Kurdistan were in a strategic partnership that benefited both sides. He and the KRG delegation discussed the military needs of the peshmerga, who are spearheading the fight against ISIS, and the humanitarian crisis in Kurdistan and Iraq. Both sides welcomed the atmosphere of cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad.

Yesterday, the KRG delegation met senior members of congress, including Senator Bob Corker who chairs the Senate Foreign ‎Relations Committee and represents Tennessee which hosts the largest Kurdish community in the United States. They discussed the situation in Kurdistan, Iraq and Syria, what further assistance the United States could provide to the peshmerga, and the protection of Iraq's minorities who have found a safe haven in  Kurdistan.

Similar discussions were held with Congressman Devin Nunes, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Senator Tim Kaine, who sits on various committees, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen who heads the defence sub-committee of the Appropriations Committee.

Minister Bakir and Ms Abdul Rahman also held discussions with Congressman Gerry Connolly and separately Congressman Dana Rohrabacher who are longtime friends of Kurdistan.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Iraq (dfr.krg.org) – In the presence of Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Zhang Ming, officially opened China’s consulate general in Erbil today.

Prime Minister Barzani in his speech applauded the decision of the government of China to open its consulate general in Erbil. He said, “Opening the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in the Kurdistan Region is the first step towards building mutually beneficial relations. This will provide a great opportunity for both sides to explore areas of potential cooperation. The opening of this office will help us to benefit from the rich and successful experience of China in all fields.”

Prime Minister Barzani also thanked China for providing humanitarian assistance to the Kurdistan Region and hoped that the opening of this office would result in further humanitarian aid as well as military assistance in the fight against terrorism.

Vice Foreign Minister Ming in his speech thanked the KRG for the assistance provided in the opening of China’s consulate general. He said, “The opening of our consulate general in Erbil expresses our strong support for the political process in Iraq. It is a sign of our strong desire to further deepen and strengthen our bilateral ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in various fields.”

Mr Ming commended the role of the KRG in preserving the stability of the region and voiced the willingness of the Chinese government to contribute to this stability and to provide further humanitarian assistance.

Commenting on the opening ceremony of China’s consulate general in Erbil, Minister Falah Mustafa stated, “This is the beginning of a new chapter in an important, mutually beneficial relationship that will benefit the people and the government of both China and the Kurdistan Region.”

Mr. Banglin, China’s Consul General, said that China is eager to develop its relations with Kurdistan Region and take part in this development, particularly in the infrastructural, economic, commercial and cultural domains.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior KRG officials, China’s ambassador to Iraq, members of the diplomatic community, as well as representative of Chinese companies in the Kurdistan Region.

Baghdad, Iraq (dfr.krg.org) – The Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and the United Nations agencies held a roundtable meeting with the donor countries and diplomats based in Baghdad to encourage international community to provide support for Iraq’s internally displaced persons (IDP).

Karim Sinjari, Minister of Interior, Ali Sindi, Minister of Planning, and Falah Mustafa, Head of Department of Foreign Relation represented KRG in the meeting, which was chaired by Saleh al-Mutlaq, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Construction and Services and attended by Iraq’s ministers of foreign affairs, finance, migration and displacement, representatives of UN agencies as well as 40 ambassadors.

Deputy Prime Mnister Mutlaq said, “Deterioration of security in Iraq, which is mainly caused by the attacks of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), has resulted in the displacement of nearly two million people.”

He added, “Addressing the needs of the IDPs is out of the capacity of Iraq. We are facing harsh financial challenges and sharp decline of oil price has exacerbated the situation. Iraq is in need of $5 billion to address the needs of IDPs and their return to their areas.”

Iraq’s finance minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, gave an overview of the financial crisis facing Iraq and announced that the federal government has agreed to allocate $850 million for the ministry of migration and displacement as part of the 215 budget.

According to the KRG Ministry of Planning and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 47 percent of all Iraq’s 2 million displaced are now in the Kurdistan Region. The rest of the IDPs are spread throughout Iraq having fled conflicts in Anbar, Ninewa, Diyala and Salah al-Din governorates. As people continue to flee the violence, the latest count indicates that some 946,266 Iraqis (157,711 families) have sought sanctuary in the region since the beginning of the year. This represents an increase of 53,526 individuals since 1 September.

KRG minister of Planning discussed the difficulties facing the KRG in addressing the needs of IDPs in the Region. He said, “Hosting of IDPs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is placing a huge burden on the region’s social services, as well as its financial resources, which is becoming unsustainable.”

“This humanitarian emergency is far from over and with the winter months the challenges are becoming greater by the day. The partnership between the Government of Iraq, the KRG and the international community is fundamental to address the response, but this is not enough: fresh funds are now needed to avert this crisis from becoming a humanitarian catastrophe,” said Jacqueline Badcock, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.

Commenting on the meeting, Minister Mustafa said, “The large number of IDPs in the Region has stretched our infrastructure and social services to the limit. This was a good opportunity for KRG to be present in Baghdad to address members of international community in highlighting the plight of IDPs.”