Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Stephen O’Brien, and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. O’Brien briefed the Prime Minister on his visit to Baghdad where he visited camps of internally displaced persons, IDPs. He said he will also visit IDP and refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. O’Brien thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, for the assistance it has been offering to displaced people. He described the relations between the United Nations agencies and KRG as positive and effective.

He said that the United Nations’ 2015 plan for assisting displaced people is soliciting over $1.5 billion from donor countries.  He said, however, few countries so far offered assistance, except Kuwait that announced it will donate $200 million.

Mr. O’Brien noted that within the framework of the 2016 plan the Kurdistan Region will be dealt with separately as it disproportionately needs more assistance than other areas of Iraq.

Prime Minister Barzani said that due to the arrival of a high number of displaced people, particularly since the Islamic State terrorist organisation captured Mosul last June, the population of the Region has increased by 28 percent and continues to increase. Though all IDPs are Iraqi citizens, he noted the Iraqi government does not help to accommodate them and provide assistance to meet their needs in areas under KRG control.  This has put an enormous burden on the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani called on the international community to assume its responsibilities as the Kurdistan Region accommodates and provides assistance to a very high number of refugees and IDPs, while at the same time it conducts a war against terrorism on behalf of the entire world. 

He warned that due to ongoing war in Syria and Iraq, the Kurdistan Region could face additional waves of refugees and IDPs.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter-ISIL, Mr. Brett McGurk, and his accompanying military and diplomatic delegation.

The security situation in Iraq in general and anticipated liberation campaigns of Anbar and Mosul in particular were discussed.

They also discussed maintaining coalition airstrikes in support of Peshmerga forces, and also in Anbar and Hasaka, (Syria).

The U.S delegation emphasised the need for effective mechanisms to prevent radical jihadists joining the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, as well as ways to assist Sunnis to confront ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his hope for coalition forces to further train Iraqi military, police, and Peshmerga forces, and extend military operations to accelerate eradicating the ISIS terrorist organization and normalise the region.

Regarding the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the current situation is not sustainable.  He said Baghdad continues to reduce funding the Region in breach of last December’s agreement and the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015 at a time when the Region is serving the needs of nearly two million displaced people and fighting ISIS.

He noted that if the Constitution was fully respected three years ago, Iraq would never have seen these days.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Kuwait Consul-General to the Kurdistan Region, Dr. Omar Ahmad Al-Kandari.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the Kuwait Consul-General to his new position. They discussed the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region, particularly the war against terrorism and the economic and social impact of hosting nearly two million refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs.

Investment opportunities were also discussed and the Consul-General affirmed the desire of his country’s companies, investors, and relevant institutions to develop economic and commercial ties with the Region. He described the opening of the Kuwait Consulate General as an important step in that regard.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his happiness at the establishment of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Kuwait, offering the support of relevant KRG organisations to Kuwaiti companies that wish to invest in the Region, particularly in priority fields such as agriculture and tourism.

With Kuwaiti media representatives present in the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani explained the political, economic, security, and military situation in the Region. Regarding relations with Baghdad, he said that at this moment the KRG intends to resolve its differences with Baghdad.  He said that Iraq is important for Kurdistan Region from geographical, political, social, commercial, and economic points of view. He said, however, that if the current breach of agreements by Baghdad continues, then the Region would have to turn towards other options.  

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, sent a message of condolences to Mr. Joe Biden, US vice-president on the occasion of passing of his son, Beau Biden.

Following is the text of the message:

Dear Vice President Biden,

On behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq I warmly offer you and your family our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear son, Beau.  In shock and deep sadness, we grieve with you, your family, and all Americans.

We should all be inspired by your son's service as a US Military officer, as a leading civil servant who promoted justice and the rule of law, and as an exemplary citizen. In his passing we are learning more about the honor and value of dedicated public service that respects and protects all people regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

As our families in our many years of struggle have lost and continue to lose so many spouses and siblings, and brothers and sisters, we deeply and sincerely empathize with you and your family.

Please, again, accept our warmest and most heartfelt condolences.

Yours most sincerely,

Nechirvan Barzani,

Prime Minister
Kurdistan Regional Government

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received United States Ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones and his accompanying delegation.

Mr Jones pointed out the visit by Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani and his accompanying delegation to the United States last month, valuing the meetings and talks held during the visit.

The two sides discussed the latest political situation in Iraq, military operations, and the United States support to Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular.

Ambassador Jones reiterated that his country will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces, as it was discussed and stressed during President Barzani’s visit to the United States.

In the meeting, the relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the financial problems which appeared in the Kurdistan Region as the result of Baghdad’s withholding Kurdistan’s budgets early last year, were also discussed.

Ambassador Jones expressed his support for the agreement reached between Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government last December to settle oil export and budgetary issues.

He also pointed to the situation in the region in general and the importance of the participation of the Sunnis in the political process in Iraq as well the liberation of the Sunni areas under the control of the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his thanks and appreciation for his assessment of the successful visit of the President of the Kurdistan Region and his accompanying delegation to Washington. In this regard, he thanked the US embassy in Iraq to have organised and set the programme of the visit.

Regarding the humanitarian and military situation, Prime Minister Barzani hoped that the United States will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces and to the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, by providing relief aid to the large number of refugees and internally displaces people who sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani outlined KRG's position, saying that the Kurdistan Region has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement. He pointed out that the KRG is waiting for Iraqi Federal Government to meet its obligations by sending Kurdistan Region liabilities adequately, as defined in the agreement, in the coming days.  

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received His Beatitude Archbishop Aprem Mooken, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in India and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of bishops of the Assyrian Church of the East.

The delegation has visited Kurdistan Region to hold elections to designate a new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

In the meeting, the security situation of the Region and the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in Syria and Iraq were discussed.

The delegation expressed its, and the believers’ appreciation to the Kurdistan Region, praising the role of Peshmerga forces in defending territories and all the communities of the Kurdistan Region.

The members of the delegation also expressed their appreciation to the people and the government of Kurdistan Region who have opened doors for victims of terrorism from various religious and ethnic origins, especially those Christians, including the believers of the Assyrian Church of the East, who have fled from Syria and other parts of Iraq and sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

The delegation expressed its gratitude to the Kurdistan regional Government, KRG, for its support to build a Church for believers of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil, hailing the role of the KRG Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the people and government of Kurdistan Region respect all ethnic and religious communities. He said that despite enduring financial difficulties, the KRG has been providing assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people.

He also reiterated KRG’s support for building a Church for believers of Assyrian Church of the East, stressing that the government will provide all assistance for the implementation of the project.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out the role of the Peshmerga forces in their fight against ISIS, stressing that they defend humanity, freedom, territories and peoples of the region, on behalf of the entire world.

He described the war against ISIS as a significant and uneasy challenge. He said, only by military means, ISIS cannot be defeated; rather it needs to be countered by cultural and educational tools.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that the new generation must be educated according to principles of coexistence and tolerance.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received members of the Turkish Parliament, Leyla Zana and Sırrı Süreyya Onder.

Ms Zana and Mr Onder briefed the Prime Minister about their recent visit to Imrali Island where they met the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, Abdullah Ocalan.

They said, Mr Ocalan is full aware of the attempts undertaken by Prime Minister Barzani in supporting the peace process in Turkey and finding a settlement for the Kurdish issue in this country, for which, they said, he expressed his gratitude.

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the peace process, highlighting the importance of preventing the process to be hampered by minor problems.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his readiness to continue supporting the peace process and settlement of the Kurdish issue in Turkey and carrying out any task that is required in order to help achieve it.

They also discussed the latest developments in the war against terrorism and the efforts exerted to convene a pan-Kurdish conference, highlighting the importance of unity among the Kurdistan parties in facing terrorism. In this regard the Prime Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation for of the various Kurdish groups which fight terrorism. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.org) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday met the Pope’s Special Envy to Iraq, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, from the Vatican.

Cardinal Filoni expressed his gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government for the assistance it has provided to the internally displaced people who were forced to flee the violent repression of the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and take refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

The Cardinal said that the current situation of the displaced people in the Kurdistan Region is significantly better than when they first arrived in the Region, hoping that the situation would return to normal soon and that the displaced persons would be able to go back to their homes and that harmony and fraternal coexistence will prevail again among the country’s various religious and ethnic groups.

The Cardinal also his and His Holiness Pope Francis’ gratitude to Prime Minister Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government praising the sacrifices made by the Peshmerga forces in their fight against ISIS, as well as the courage they have demonstrated in confronting terrorists in defence of all the components of the Iraqi society without any distinction.

Both sides discussed the latest political and military developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. They also focused on the period after defeating ISIS which would allow the displaced people to return to their homes and properties. The two sides stressed the need to help the displaced and protect them in order to ensure not only their safe return but also to resume their normal life.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his and the his government’s appreciation for this visit by Cardinal Filoni to the Kurdistan Region and highlighted the recent visit that he and KRG officials had paid to the Vatican where they met His Holiness Pope Francis. He noted that the people and government of the Kurdistan Region believe in brotherhood and co-existence as well as unity among all the components that live together in the Kurdistan Region.

The Prime Minister stressed that the KRG will continue to provide aid for the displaced persons, hoping that the situation will soon become normal again so that the displaced can return safely back to their homes. He concluded that the Kurdistan Regional Government is ready to provide all needed assistance and ensure the provision of security for the displaced persons once they return to their place of origin.