Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United Nations delegation headed by Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Iraq. During the meeting, President Barzani and Mr. Mladenov discussed the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the most recent military advanced against the terrorists of the Islamic State by the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi forces.

President Barzani stated that the fight against the terrorists of the Islamic State remains of the utmost priority to the Kurdistan Region. On the matter of relations with Baghdad, President Barzani expressed his optimism and added that the differences will soon be resolved between Erbil and Baghdad.

Special Representative Mladenov agreed on the urgency of the fight against the terrorists of the Islamic State and the need for even stronger collective efforts to defeat the terrorists. Furthermore, Mr. Mladenov commended the Peshmerga forces and President Barzani for their latest successes against the terrorists.

Mr. Mladenov took the opportunity to bid his farewell as he will soon take on a new task in Jerusalem. President Barzani expressed his gratitude for Mr. Nladenov's cooperation and wished him continued success in his new task.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with Iraqi President Fuad Masom today in Salahaddin. The two presidents discussed the fight against the ISIS terrorists, the role of the peshmerga forces in this fight, and relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The Iraqi President commended the recent successes of the Peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and expressed his condolences to all those who have sacrificed their lives in this fight.

On the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the two underlined the importance of commitment, by both sides, to the Erbil-Baghdad deal on oil exports and revenue sharing. President Barzani stated that the KRG would continue to support the new Iraqi government and the political process in the country.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkey’s National Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz in Erbil today to discuss bilateral cooperation and the fight against ISIS terrorists.

The Turkish defense minister reiterated his country’s commitment to support the Kurdistan Region in the fight against the ISIS terrorists. He added that Turkey would continue to provide training for the peshmerga forces and also help with supplying humanitarian aid. The President and the Turkish defense minister also discussed efforts currently underway to defeat the ISIS terrorists and liberate areas under their control. 

President Barzani stated that there are many opportunities for mutual cooperation.  He reaffirmed KRG's support for the peace process underway in Turkey. 

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with President of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) David Miliband in his office in Salahaddin to discuss the humanitarian situation of the IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan.

Mr. Miliband said his organization has been active in Kurdistan, and he is here to find out for himself how the IRC could further help the KRG cope with the large numbers of IDPs. He said the IRC would conduct advocacy in countries around the world to direct more urgently needed assistance for IDPs and help the KRG cope with this heavy burden.

For his part, President Barzani thanked the IRC for its activities helping IDPs and refugees. He stated that providing shelter and assistance for the IDPs is a priority of the KRG, but the fundamental solution to this problem is to expel the terrorists and for these people to then be able to return to their homes.
The two also discussed the political and security situation in the country in general.

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.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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

Senator Reed, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists. He said the United States would continue to help the peshmerga forces in providing air support, training and with the provision of arms. He added that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and for their generosity in providing refuge 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. He said that other countries must help to stop the flow of ISIS fighters, and also to dry up their sources of funding.