Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani attended the consecration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa, the new Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in Saint Yohana Church in Ainkawa-Erbil.

The ceremony was also attended by representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, representatives of the President of Iraq and Iraqi Prime Minister, and the Iraqi Council of Representatives.  Also attending, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, a number of ministers and members of the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament, and officials of the Kurdistan Region. The ceremony also included representatives of diplomatic missions in the Kurdistan Region, and a number of religious figures and dignitaries of the Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa spoke of the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to the Middle East at Erbil as an important and sacred event.

He highlighted the role played by the Kurdistan Region in protecting Christians and promoting religious and ethnic coexistence. He praised Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in protecting the rights of ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region.

His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among Christian churches, particularly at this moment.

He expressed his wish that security and prosperity will return to Iraq, and that religious, cultural and ethnic diversity will be protected.

Following a banquet lunch which was served in honor of His Holiness Patriarch Gewargis Sliwa in Saad Abdulla Hall in Erbil, the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his support and wish for success of the Assyrian Church of the East, and that it plays its role in returning peace to the region during these difficult times.

Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi described the return of the Chair of Assyrian Church of the East to Erbil as a significant and historic event. He expressed his and the Governorate's full support to the Assyrian Church of the East.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received, US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones, and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS, Brett McGurk, and their accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the security situation in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular, and the recent developments in the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

The delegation reiterated the US military support to Peshmerga forces, stressing on coordination between the United States, Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and Iraqi Federal Government.

Regarding the Kurdistan Region presidency issue, the US delegation expressed its support for continuation of the talks among the Kurdistan Region political parties, urging the need to put the war against ISIS as the first priority of the Region at this moment. They expressed their hope that Kurdistan Region Political parties will soon reach an agreement.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Stuart Jones, and the United States army in Iraq for their support to the Kurdistan Region. He said, however, for the next phases in the war against ISIS, with the aim to liberating the areas under ISIS control, a comprehensive plan, with coalition forces support, particularly US army’s support, for Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, are needed. 

On the Kurdistan Region presidency issue, Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the talks among Kurdistan Region political parties are going on seriously to reach a suitable solution in the interest of the people and the stability of the Region. He stressed that Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani and the Peshmerga forces give priority to the war against ISIS.

The talks between KRG and the Iraqi Federal Government on finding an appropriate solution for the outstanding issues, the situation in the Middle East and neighbouring countries were also discussed in the meeting. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani received United Kingdom Government Cabinet Office Minister, Oliver Letwin and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. Letwin praised the role of the Peshmerga forces in their fight against Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, as well as the Region’s interior forces that have been able to protect security of Kurdistan citizens regardless their ethnic and religious background.

He reiterated his government’s support to the people, government and Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan Region particularly in the war against ISIS. He noted that the UK government values its relations with Kurdistan Region.

He also commended the Kurdistan Region for being able to accommodate and provide assistance to a large number of Internally displaced people, IDPs and refugees who have fled terrorist threats and sought safety in Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the UK Government, which has been supporting Kurdistan Region since ISIS started its campaigns against the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani, meantime, noted that the people and government of Kurdistan Region expect further and continuous UK assistance particularly in providing Peshmerga forces with ammunitions, artillery and training.

He also stressed that Kurdistan Region needs continuous support from the international community, directly or through the United Nation agencies, in order to offer further assistance to the IDPs and refugees.

The two sides also discussed the political situation in Iraq and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minster, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, ICC, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the situation of the victims of terrorist attacks, particularly the Yazidi Kurds who last year were subject to barbaric attacks by Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

They highlighted the efforts exerted by Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, to obtain international recognition of the crimes committed against Yazidi Kurds as genocide.

Prime Minister Barzani briefed the delegation about the tasks undertaken by KRG Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in this regard.

Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo expressed his sympathy to the Yazidi community, the people and the government of Kurdistan Region, reiterating his support to the KRG efforts in obtaining genocide recognition of the Yazidi case, considering it as a humanitarian case which is important for the entire humanity.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his and his government’s gratitude to Mr. Moreno-Ocampo for his support. He noted that the KRG will continue its efforts to liberate the Yazidi men and women who still are remained captive at the hands of ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani meanwhile thanked the NGO’s and aid agencies for offering assistance to the victims of terrorism.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In the presence of representatives of the diplomatic missions and a number of Kurdistan members of parliament and ministers, the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, opened the ceremony of launching the electronic social protection network system, initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

In a speech he made, Prime Minister Barzani, described the Ministry’s project as part of a broader reform policy, which the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, plans to implement.

He said, “The KRG insists on continuing the reform process because it believes meaningful reform is important to successfully meet the difficult challenges we face. It is about enhancing efforts toward justice and providing more efficient and effective services to our citizens.”

Following is the text of the speech:

Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,

Good morning and welcome,

It is my pleasure to participate with you all in the commencement ceremony of an important project that has great value for the Kurdistan Regional Government. This is yet another step by the KRG to strengthen the government’s reform efforts, notably its administrative system.

This is a step towards establishing a fair, effective system pertaining to salaries, allowances, and financial assistance. To a great extent, it will diminish the possibility of taking undue advantage of the government’s payroll system. This system will greatly facilitate the administration of matters to better serve our citizens. 

The idea of developing the current social protection network into an efficient, effective electronic system is not new to the KRG.  The government has been preparing and developing this project for some time.  I take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Muhammed Hawdiani, for making this project a priority and bringing it to a stage ready for implementation.

The implementation of this project enables all departments in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to be linked directly to the Ministry’s Diwan.  This is intended to enable the Ministry to carry out tasks in an easy and smooth manner. On the one hand, this will strengthen the social protection system; on the other hand, it is a practical step towards combating corruption.

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Planning, and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, for their cooperation and team work in developing this important system. We look forward to other KRG ministries and offices successfully adopting and applying key features of this project.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Kurdistan Regional Government is making concerted efforts to conduct important reforms in all sectors by taking advantage of modern systems, cutting-edge technologies, innovative knowledge and expertise in order to reorganize the working of our government.  The intention is to bring our administrative and service systems up to levels that are efficient, effective, which meet international standards.

Step by step, taking into consideration our resources and capabilities, we will continue to make necessary reforms in all fields.  We have a strong will to make reforms and we will continue to do so. We say we will do it step by step because we believe that for reform to be done effectively it needs to be done carefully, with patience and perseverance. We will do reforms in accordance with thoughtful planning and carefully designed programs, not by impulsive action.

Reform is not an isolated process independent of other principles and interactions.  Reform is a broad and long-term process that relates to many factors. It cannot be seen and realized as a mere decision of the prime minister or the council of ministers to do reform!

That is why this process is not as simple as reading it in a newspaper article. It is a process that needs a strong will to make it happen. It needs patience and perseverance until it provides expected results. It is a process that needs short, medium, and long term plans. Such is the project implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. It is anticipated to have positive impact in the near future on our reform efforts by insuring justice for disabled persons seeking benefits from our social protection system.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Taking practical reform steps during this time when we fight terrorism and face severe political, economic, and financial challenges has only one meaning, which is that the KRG insists on continuing the reform process because it believes meaningful reform is important to successfully meet the difficult challenges we face. It is about enhancing efforts toward justice and providing more efficient and effective services to our citizens.

Reform is a priority on the government’s agenda.  All KRG ministers are making reform efforts and many have made good progress. In early 2014 when disagreements with Baghdad over budget and other issues began, the KRG took practical steps to reduce expenditure and increase income. I certainly believe that Kurdistan’s citizens in the near future will see more results of the reforms.

I also want to reiterate that this step by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is one of the initial steps of the KRG in the reform process. In the near future the KRG will announce greater steps in this regard.

Again, I thank the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Minister. I wish them continued success.

Thank you and Welcome again.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the Norwegian Defense Minister, Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide, and Foreign Minister Børge Brende, and their accompanying delegation.

The meeting was also attended by the Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Mustafa Sayed Qadir and other Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, senior officials.

Norwegian Foreign Minister praised the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for having accommodated and assisted a large number of internally displaced people, IDPs, and refuges, who fled violent repressions of the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Brende also praised the role of the Peshmerga forces in protecting the Region against ISIS.

Norwegian Defense Minister reiterated her country’s support to the Peshmerga forces particularly in the fields of military training, expressing her satisfaction for the progress that has been made in the training plan of the Peshmerga forces.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed the gratitude of the Kurdistan people and government to the Norwegian government for its assistance to the Kurdistan Region at this difficult time.

Prime Minster Barzani urged the Norwegian government and international community to increase their humanitarian assistance to Kurdistan Region in order to be able to face the humanitarian crisis which it currently experiences as the result of the fight against terrorism.

He also asked for the continuation of Norwegian support for the Peshmerga forces.
The two sides also discussed the recent developments in the region and the relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi Federal Government.

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.”

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Hassan Danaei-Far, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq and his accompanying delegation.

Ambassador Danaei-Far valued Kurdistan Region for its continuous progress and development, successful campaigns against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and resistance to the economic difficulties which the Region faces, as well as the Region’s ability to accommodate a significant number of refugees and internally displaced people.

He reiterated his country’s support for the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and highlighted bilateral relations, expressing his wishes for further developing these relations.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the delegation for their visit, describing the relations between Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran as historic. He said, Iran has been helping Kurdistan Region people in the difficult times.

He expressed his wishes for further developing bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iraq.

The situation in the region, Iraq and the relations between KRG and Iraqi Federal Government were among the topics, discussed in the meeting.