Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani told the press that Kurdistan Regional Government is committed to the agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad last December on oil export and Kurdistan Region's share in the 2015 federal budget.

In a meeting held yesterday with representatives of media outlets in Kurdistan Region, Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the technical and political problems and obstacles which stood as impediments to the implementation of the budget law.

Prime Minister Barzani stated that the KRG will exert all its efforts to overcome the problems and obstacles that hamper the implementation of the agreement, adding that the Kurdistan Region’s priority is to resolve the outstanding issues with the federal government and the implementation of 2015 budget law. This is in the interest of the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq.

Prime Minister Barzani said, however, if the Iraqi government was not to honour the agreement, the Kurdistan Region will have no other options but to look elsewhere for solutions. He reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region has so far honoured its obligations towards Baghdad.

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s oil policy, the Prime Minister stressed that it is in line with Iraqi  federal constitution and that the Kurdistan Region will use all its constitutional rights regarding the oil sector and will not waive its constitutional rights.

He told the press that Baghdad is important for the Kurdistan Region not only in oil field but also in trade, security, military and economic cooperation as well as many other areas, and for this, he is ready to visit Baghdad to find longterm solutions for all the issues.

The meeting with the press was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, KRG Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Culture, Khalid Doski, Minister of Planning, Ali Sindi and the Minister of Finance and Economy, Rebaz Muhammad.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani highlighted KRG plans on how to address the problems that have emerged as the result of the financial crisis and the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, in addition to the large numbers of refugees and displaced people who fled ISIS violent repression and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region. He said that the government is confident that the plans to combat these problems will succeed.

The KRG Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami briefed the press about the technical aspects of the agreement with the Federal Government of Iraq, reiterating that as stipulated in the agreement, oil is being exported to the Turkish Ceyhan port on a daily basis.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, received on Wednesday Rostam Ghasemi, head of the Iraqi-Iranian Economic Development Board and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kurdistan Region and ways to further develop them in various economic fields, including energy and infrastructure. They stressed the importance of strengthening the level of cooperation and coordination between both sides.

The situation in the region, the latest developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the war against terrorism were topics discussed also in the meeting.

During his visit, Mr. Ghasemi is also scheduled to meet the Kurdistan Regional Government Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Housing and Reconstruction in order to hold talks on the possibility of raising the prospects of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kurdistan Region in the sectors of energy, natural resources, construction and infrastructure.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (gov.krd) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, accompanied by a KRG senior delegation, yesterday attended the opening ceremony of the 2015 Dubai Government Summit.

It was also attended by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces as well as representatives of 93 countries which included heads of states and senior leaders of international organisations.

Prime Minister Barzani and his accompanying delegation arrived Dubai on Sunday evening. The Kurdistan Regional Government was officially invited by the United Arab Emirates Government to attend the summit. The Kurdistan Regional Government delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Planning, Ali Sindi, Minister of Finance and Economy, Rebaz Mohammad and KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee. The delegation is expected to conduct a number of important meetings with the United Arab Emirates senior officials.

The Dubai Government Summit is considered the second largest summit in the world, involving over four thousand people representing 93 countries. The summit will host a number of lectures, seminars, dialogue sessions aimed at improving the way governments work in future, including the development of e-governance, planning and forecasting for future government as well as a number of other topics related to improving governance.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (gov.krd) – As part of its official visit to the United Arab Emirates, the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday separately met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani at the Al-Bahr Palace in Abu Dhabi and expressed his pleasure for Prime Minister’s visit and thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government for attending Dubai Government Summit which began yesterday.

The two sides discussed the relations between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates in general, and between the Kurdistan Region and the United Arab Emirates in particular. They stressed the necessity to develop these relations in various domains, including the economic sector.

The Prime Minister expressed Kurdistan Regional Government’s gratitude for the humanitarian aid and assistance that the United Arab Emirates and UAE Red Crescent is providing to the internally Iraqi displaced persons and Syrian refugees, who are now sheltered in the Kurdistan Region. He praised the efforts, work and assistance undertaken by the officials and team of the UAE Red Crescent in the Kurdistan Region.

Later during the day, the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation visited the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The two sides discussed the relations between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Barzani praised the role played by the UAE Consulate General in Erbil and in particular the UAE Consul General himself, who exert great efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Kurdistan and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE Foreign Minister described the Consulate General in Erbil as a post that the ministry considers highly significant. 

They also discussed the situation in the Middle East including the latest developments in the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, known as ISIS. The two sides stressed that confronting terrorism cannot be undertaken solely through military operations, but also through challenging the ideologies and to confront the concepts of violence that exist in the region.

Prime Minister Barzani and his accompanying delegation arrived Dubai on Sunday evening upon an official invitation by UAE government to attend 2015 Dubai Government Summit. The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Planning, Ali Sindi, Minister of Finance and Economy, Rebaz Mohammad and KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (gov.krg) - On the second day of the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani and his accompanying delegation were received yesterday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and United Arab Emirates. They reaffirmed their willingness to develop these relations, particularly in the political and economic domains.

The latest developments in the region and the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, were discussed in the meeting. The two sides stressed the importance of the role of the international coalition in the war against terrorism.

Prime Minister Barzani and his accompanying delegation arrived Dubai on Sunday on an official invitation by UAE government to attend 2015 Dubai Government Summit. The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Planning, Ali Sindi, Minister of Finance and Economy, Rebaz Muhammad and KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday visited the Peshmerga forces, fighting against the Islamic State terrorist organization, known as ISIS, on the West side of River Tigris in Sihailah and Zummar frontline.

In a meeting with the military commanders and officers of the two sectors of the front, Prime Minister Barzani was briefed and updated on the latest military developments on the front, the continuous advances of Peshmerga forces and their recent victories in repelling ISIS terrorists. He also followed up the Peshmerga forces’ needs and logistics in the battlefront.

The meeting was followed by a visit by Prime Minister Barzani to the town of Zummar, where he visited the local branch offices of both the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the only two Kurdish political parties who returned to their offices in Zummar after the liberation of the town from ISIS terrorists, earlier last month.

The Prime Minister met both parties’ officials and discussed the situation in the area, the ways to ensure the return of the displaced people to the town and the provision of basic services, particularly electricity power. The Prime Minister stressed that he will urge the relevant authorities to resolve these issues, as soon as possible, to ensure the return of all public services to the area.

Prime Minister Barzani also visited the main office of Nineveh Oil Board and the Northern Oil Company in Ain Zala, meeting the directors and supervisors of both the board and the company.

They discussed the situation in the area, the nature of the work, and the importance of protecting such infrastructure following its liberation from ISIS terrorists.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday visited the recently liberated town of Sinoun and Sheikh Sharaffadin Shrine on Sinjar Mountain.

Meeting members of the Kurdish Yezidi community in the area and commanders of the battlefront, fighting against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, known as ISIS, Prime Minister Barzani was briefed on the latest developments and the situation in the recently liberated areas, the process of the return of the displaced families to their homes and the provision of basic public services in the town. Prime Minister Barzani stressed that Kurdistan Regional Government will dispatch special teams to the area in order to assess its basic needs.

Prime Minister Barzani hailed the role of the commanders and the Yezidi Peshmerga forces for their resilience and confronting ISIS from the beginning of the attacks by this terrorist organisation.

Visiting Sheikh Sharaffadin Shrine, Prime Minister Barzani told the press, “The aim of our visit to the Shrine of Sheikh Sharaffadin and meeting these brave fighters who have been resisting for months, is first to express the KRG’s gratitude for their resilience and sacrifice in defending Sinjar Mountain; and secondly, to send a message to our beloved Yizidi sisters and brothers, that the KRG respects your community and understands your deep distress. However, thanks to God and due to the resilience and the hard work of these brave fighters this entire area has been liberated from ISIS terrorists.”

The Prime Minster pointed out that together with local administrative officials they have discussed the necessary steps to be taken in order to reconstruct and reintroduce basic public services. He said, “We hope to make all the necessary services available after the complete liberation of the town of Sinjar that would allow the return of life to the region and the displaced people to their homes.”

Regarding compensations for the region, the Prime Minister said, “The KRG committees will visit the area and we will do our best in compensating the people of the region and helping them to return to their homes.”

Regarding possible international recognition of the atrocities committed by ISIS against Yezidi Kurds in Sinjar as genocide, Prime Minister Barzani said, “For this purpose, we have formed a commission, where two KRG ministers are among the members as well as eye witnesses. We believe that what happened to the Yezidis is genocide, and the government will spare no effort in helping that the crimes committed against the Yezidi Kurds be internationally recognised as genocide.”

Regarding the advance of the Peshmerga forces towards Sinjar, Prime Minister Barzani said, “Liberating Sinjar town was not in the plan of the recent operation, started later last month. It targeted only the liberation of Sinjar Mountain, Sinoun town and the surrounding areas. Now, Peshmerga forces look at Sinjar as their next step. When the military commanders deem the time has come, the operation of complete liberation of Sinjar will be launched.”

He also reassured the Yezidi community that the KRG “continues to exert great efforts to free the Yezidi women and young girls, abducted by ISIS terrorists. However, the plans cannot be disclosed to the media.”

Sheikh Ismaiel, Yezidi religious dignitary in Sheikh Sharaffadin Shrine, considered Prime Minister Barzani’s visit to the shrine as visiting the homes of the entire Yezidi community.

He said that since the main route to the mountain has been freed, humanitarian relief starts to reach the displaced Yezidis.

He said, “Our main request will be to free the abducted Yezidi women from the hands of ISIS terrorists. We would also like to create a province for Sinjar, attached to the Kurdistan Region, and linking Sinjar’s electricity grid to Kurdistan Region, which is currently dependent on Mosul.”

Qasim Shesho, one of the Yezidi commanders who stayed in the mountain and fought against the ISIS terrorists, considered President Massoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to the region as historical.

He said, “We want to tell those who were saying that Peshmerga forces did not assume their duty in Sinjar when ISIS attacked, that it is with the Peshmarga sacrifices and blood that the route to the mountain has been freed.”

Responding to the statements reportedly calling to create an independent Region for Sinjar, Qasim Shesho said these statements are against the will and desire of the people of the town. We are and will remain part of Kurdistan, but we ask the Prime Minister to create a province for Sinjar.”

Prime Minister Barzani also met the military commanders and officers who stayed on the mountain from the early days of ISIS attacks and protected the mountain, the displaced Yezidi Kurds and the Shrine. He was briefed on the latest military developments and the Peshmerga forces military operations.

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.