Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer. 

Mr. Maurer expressed the gratitude of the ICRC to the KRG for their support and close cooperation with the ICRC, including ease with which ICRC staff visit KRG prisons. He added that this close partnership can become a model for his organisation’s operations in Iraq and elsewhere. 

The President reiterated full KRG commitment to cooperating with ICRC and on behalf of the people of Kurdistan thanked the ICRC for their support to the Kurdish people in the past.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Erbil on Wednesday.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations, Iraq’s political and security challenges, including the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iraq, and the Syrian conflict.

They both said that they are very pleased with the status of their relations and expressed their willingness to further strengthen political, economic and cultural ties. Foreign Minister Davutoglu described President Barzani’s visit to Diyarbakir in 2013 as very significant and historical.

On the planned upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections, President emphasized that these elections must be held on time.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – President Masoud Barzani met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq Brett McGurk today to discuss the security and political developments in Iraq, tensions between Erbil and Baghdad, and the situation of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) - Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with director of Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry, Mr. Jean-François Girault.

The meeting between the President and the French official focused on bilateral relations, the humanitarian situation of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, the impact of Syrian conflict on Iraq, and disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over budget and energy exports.

Mr. Girlaut hailed the stability and economic developments in Kurdistan and added that this progress in such a volatile and problematic region is remarkable. He expressed his hope that the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections would lead to a resolution of the problems facing the country.

President Barzani said his is pleased with the status of the KRG relations with France and hoped that these ties will continue to grow.

On disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, the President said that the source of the problems in Iraq is lack of adherence to the constitution and monopolization of power. As a result, he said, Iraq is far from a proper state, and its people suffer from lack of security and lack of basic services.

The President expressed his hope that after the new elections in April, there would be prospects for the resolution of the problems facing Iraq.

Salahadin,Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (KRP.org)- Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkey's new ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Farouq Qaemakchi at his office in Salahadin today. During the meeting the President and the Turkish Ambassador discussed bilateral relations and exchanged their views on the latest developments in Iraq.

Ambassador Qaemakchi stated his optimism on the situation and hoped for a brighter future for Iraq and continued brotherly relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. The Ambassador made note of what he described as the "historic" visit to Diyarbakir by the President last November and said that that visit "broke a number of barriers."

President Barzani wished him success at his new post and hoped for a continuation of the good relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

On the dispute with Baghdad over energy exports, the President stated that the KRG energy policy is completely in line with the Iraqi constitution and that the KRG has the right to develop its energy sector.

He attributed the current political and security problems to the wrong policies of the rulers of Iraq. He also criticized the Iraqi government's decision to withhold the KRG share of the budget, including the salaries of KRG staff, saying that this amounts to a declaration of war on the people of the Kurdistan Region.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a Syrian National Council delegation at his office in Salahadin today. The delegation was headed by the President of SNC, Mr. George Sabra who expressed his appreciation for the Kurdistan Region's continuous support for the Syrian people, especially the official position of support for the people of Syria and the reception of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Sabra went on to state that the purpose of their visit, aside from conveying the messages of gratitude from the people of Syria, is to discuss the latest developments in Syria.

President Barzani welcomed the delegation and reiterated his support for the SNC and the cause of the Syrian people. He urged the delegation to remain united with their other Syrian brothers for the sake of solidifying their message. President Barzani also stated that the Kurdistan Region will continue with its support of the Syrian refugees here in the Region.

On the role if Syrian Kurds, the President said that Kurds have been deprived of their basic rights in Syrian and that in the future their rights must be guaranteed.  

The President and the Syrian delegation also discussed the outcome of the Geneva II conference held last month.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – As part of his efforts to help expedite the process of KRG government formation, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Deputy Leader Nechirvan Barzani and members of the KDP’s political bureau.

In today’s meeting, all sides emphasized that the new government should be formed as soon as possible.

The President also met with senior members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on Saturday and with leaders of Gorran Movement last week.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with leaders and representatives of 12 Syrian Kurdish parties that are part of the Kurdish National Council.

In this meeting, the attendants briefed the President about the latest developments in the Syrian Kurdistan and their activities in the Kurdish National Council. As per an agreement reached in December of 2013, the Kurdish National Council and the Kurdish People’s Council would have joint control of the Pishkhabor border crossing, but now the border is controlled only by the Kurdish People’s Council.

President Barzani reiterated his backing for a unified position among the Syrian Kurdish parties, and he would support any decisions made by consensus by all sides.