Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, last Thursday received the Turkish Defence Minister, Ismet Yilmaz and his accompanying delegation in Erbil.

The situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, were the main topics discussed in the meeting, which was also attended by KRG Minister of Peshmerga, Minister of Interior and government Spokesperson.

Mr. Yilmaz said that they conducted a field visit to the Peshmerga training centres in Soran district, adding that Turkey will further develop the training centres and that his government will continue to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region.

Turkish Defence Minister also pointed out that they look at the security of the Kurdistan Region the same way they look at their own security and consider the danger ISIS poses as a threat to Turkey as well.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government for its assistance, expressing his pleasure at the level of relations between both sides which has witnessed significant progress over the past few years.

Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of the KRG of Iraq in Iran, dealt with the resistance of Kubane people against ISIS forces.

Dimplomacy Irani: the emergence of ISIS in the region was the result of the several factors such as political and military plans and changes of regional and universal powers leading to taking opposite and different policies and to military, economic and political campaigns in the unpredictable region of the Middle East as well. Indeed the history of formation of ISIS dates back over 100 years ago which in different times and under divergent titles and names grew in various geographical areas of the region.

After Saddam’s fall, the extinction of old organization and the appearance of new ones being used in the political equations in this country, ISIS emerged from these organizations and chose this name for itself.

Unfortunately instead of to act for the future of holly Islam and to aid to develop the country, these organizations entered games and political interests. After ISIS emerging from them began to attack Kubani, Kurdistan and Kurds about which there have been lots phrases made.

The considerable and important point about Kubani is that after the majority of town was occupied by ISIS many people and countries came to the illusion that their wishes would be met and ISIS would get its final accomplishments, but the admirable resistance of Kubani and heroic fighting of worriers and Y.P.J forces conveyed this message to enemies that it would not be easy to defeat those aiming to develop the future. Kubani transmits this message that there is no limit to resist and fight. The freedom of Kubani emits this message to the world that it was the creation of the unity among nation present freedom. The unity and sharing goal and friend’s shaking hand and being hostile toward enemies, in frame of the legitimate goals, will cause the final outcome even if it took longer. Kubani conveyed this message to the world that the legal and acceptable fighting for the nation already suffering genocide and innocence is a long one leading to a great triumph and passing through exterior obstacles and no force can confront this determination with sleaziness and prevent from its aims.

After 133-day resistance and fighting with presence of women and men and fighters of Y.P.G and Y.P.J and supporting Pishmerga as well, this town got released. Its releasing is not just to free a region or a town and return it to its main and historical owners, but it has a message to those praying darkness and anti-humanity and –civilization and to those supporting ISIS with their whole power preventing from helping Kubani that the failure is for them and victory for honors; the legality of the fighting for united nation and for the enemies darkness, terrorism and paganism.

The message of Kubani was that we can fight against terrorism and darkness with the presence of women and men along with unity and rise from flares with proud and victorious.

Kubani emitted the message of Kurdish women’s role and leadership and command in battlefield against terror and occupants to the world and showed the Middle East spinning out of sexual, ideological and political discrimination, Kurdish women with any opinion and attitude, together with men and even more, not only prove themselves but also humanity, equality and happy life. They have created a rose flower woven out of conflagration of war, inequality and inhumanity

Tehran- ISCANEWS: Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran relating to the complicated condition of the region and the continuous strikes of terrorist groups so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) to Syrian Kurds said: the recent events and the emergence of ISIS in the Middle East are the past continuing hostility between west and east block as well as the problems has begun from first world war up to now. The growth of ISIS appeared in Iraq, it was already said that ISIS would not limit itself in Mosul and Al-Anbar and advance toward Baghdad and Kurdistan.

He added: the activities of Iran in the region have followed positive influences on stop and halt ISIS to progress to Kurdistan of Iraq and we even could free part of regions occupied by ISIS. He continued: the super- and regional countries seeking for special benefits in recent challenges have helped ISIS to be armed and endured more than before. Today Kubani not only for its being Kurdish but also for its special conditions and the possibility of striking Syria through this era is considered by regional powers.

In a response to a question concerning the position of Turkey and its reaction to Iran policy in the Kurdistan Region of Syria Dabbagh said: the great mistake made by Turkey is that their president says there is no difference between ISIS and P.K.K. It has supports in Turkey and has fought ISIS in Iraq.    

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation’s visit to the Vatican, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his accompanying delegation yesterday met the Vatican Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Vatican. Foreign Minister Archbishop Gallagher said that the Vatican closely observes and follows up the situation in the Kurdistan and the wider region. He added that he is glad to hear about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the wider Middle East from the KRG delegation.

The talks focused on the current war against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces progress on the frontline. The situation of Iraqi internally displaced people and Syrian refugees, who fled the violent repression of ISIS and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, was also highlighted in the meeting.

The Prime Minister reiterated that further assistance from donor countries and the international community are needed to help the refugees and IDPs.

The Vatican’s Foreign Minister praised Kurdistan Regional Government for providing shelter and assistance to the displaced people and refugees. He also praised the role played by the Peshmerga Forces in defending all the people of the region, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, against terrorism.

The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, received yesterday in Rome a Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed the gratitude of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region to Italy for its provision of essential humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region and for the visit last summer by the Italian Prime Minister to Erbil, which Prime Minister Barzani described as excellently timed as it helped show that the Kurdistan Region was supported, while facing serious terrorist threat.

He briefed the Italian Prime Minister about the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and the continuous progress marked by the Peshmerga forces on the frontline against the Islamic terrorist organisation, ISIS. He also highlighted the situation of the displaced people from the rest of Iraq and the Syrian refugees who constitute a heavy burden on the Kurdistan Regional Government, stressing that they desperately need further assistance.

Italian Prime Minister Renzi reiterated that his government “will continue to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region, and in order to eradicate terrorism we will stand side by side with the Kurdistan Region in every way possible.” He also expressed his respect to the courage of the Peshmerga Forces in their fight against terrorism.

Mr. Renzi expressed his concern for the spread of terrorist organisations in other parts of the world, stressing the need to confront terrorism all together.

He added that Italy will support the Kurdistan Region because it has a strategic position, considering Italy as Kurdistan people’s friend.

Prime Minister Renzi stated that Italy has decided to upgrade its diplomatic representation in Erbil to Consulate General, considering that this move will send a message to the world that the situation in the Kurdistan Region is better than before. He stated, “It is important for us that Kurdistan Region’s stability continues.”

Both sides also discussed the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, the situation in Mosul, political developments in Iraq and the importance of including all the components of Iraqi society in governance. They also discussed the situation in Syria and its repercussion on the situation in Iraq and the wider region. The two sides reiterated that a political solution is needed for the Syrian crisis.

The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with the UK Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Frank Baker in his office is Salahaddin today. The President and the UK Ambassador exchanged views on the fight against the ISIS terrorists, UK support to the peshmerga forces, and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

President Masoud Barzani today met French Chief of Defense General Pierre de Villiers in Salahaddin to discuss the fight against the ISIS terrorists. President Barzani said the people of Kurdistan appreciate France’s continuous support for the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.

For his part, General Pierre de Villiers said that France will stand by the people of Kurdistan in this fight, and it would continue to provide military support to the peshmerga forces.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The President and the US Senator discussed the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists, and international coalition support for the peshmerga forces in this fight.

Senator Corker, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery of the peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists and said that the United States would continue to help the peshmerga forces. He also said that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and in taking in many internally displaced people from other parts of Iraq.

President Barzani thanked the US senator and the American people for their support of Kurdistan. The President said that fighting the ISIS terrorists cannot be the responsibility of Kurdistan and the members of the international coalition alone; other countries, he said, must also step up their efforts.