Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 25, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, and his accompanying delegation in Erbil today.

In a meeting, on the recent revocation of an Iraqi presidential decree regarding the Chaldean Catholic Church, President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the importance of Iraq including the Kurdistan Region to embrace all religious and ethnic communities, and expressed hope that the President of Iraq would resolve the issue soon.

President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed that coexistence and mutual acceptance are uncompromising values and principles, and that Iraq’s strength lies in remaining a country for all communities, and protecting the rights of all.

For his part, Cardinal Sako expressed his gratitude for the support of President Nechirvan Barzani and stressed that the Kurdistan Region is a land of coexistence and mutual acceptance and a source of pride for them. Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans reassured that the current situation will not prevent him from carrying out his commitments and duties or from continuing to protect Iraq and its peaceful coexistence.

The situation in the Nineveh Plains and other issues related to the status of the Church and the Christians were also highlighted during the meeting which was also attended by the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-patriarch-of-chaldean-catholic-church/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 19, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces of France and his accompanying delegation this evening.

The meeting discussed the latest developments in the fight against ISIS, the fight against terrorism and the security situation in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the wider region. Both sides agreed that ISIS remains an existing threat which necessitates the continued support of the international coalition and France to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the support of France to the people of Kurdistan in the past, especially referring to the role of French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron, and stressed that the people of Kurdistan will never forget the solidarity and the support from France.

For his part, the French Minister of Armed Forces expressed delight to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and stressed that his country will continue to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in order to maintain peace and stability in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the wider region countering the threats of terrorism and ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

The meeting, which was attended by the French Ambassador to Iraq and the French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, highlighted Erbil-Baghdad relations, coordination between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army to fight terrorism, the situation in the wider region in general and the war in Ukraine, it’s ramifications and other issues of common interest were discussed.

Later in a joint press conference, the two sides discussed the contents of their meeting.

The President said:

“I was very pleased to welcome Mr. Minister here in Erbil this evening. We warmly welcome him to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. His visit is an important message of France’s continued support and friendship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. you are very welcome.

“We had a good meeting. We talked about the fight against ISIS and the fight against terrorism and extremism. We both agreed that ISIS is still a real threat to the security and stability of Iraq and the region, so the international coalition and France should continue to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“We thanked France for its continued support and friendship with the Kurdistan Region. The people of Kurdistan will never forget the help and support of France at different stages. We reiterate our gratitude for the role of President Macron for his continued contact and support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“We support the understanding and agreements between Iraq and France. We expect the Kurdistan Region to benefit from it, especially in the field of assistance and training of the Peshmerga.

“We stressed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with France and the international community to maintain peace and stability and to meet this challenge in Iraq and the region.

“We discussed the situation in Sinjar, the Yezidis, Christians and other communities and the importance of paving the way for the return of the Yezidi refugees to their places. In this regard, we both agreed that it is important for this purpose to implement the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government to normalize the situation in Sinjar.

“We thank the French Embassy in Baghdad and French Consulate General in Erbil for their efforts to promote French relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Welcome again to Erbil, Mr. Minister.”

Minister of the Armed Forces of France:

“Thank you, Mr. President Nechirvan Barzani, thank you for this warm welcome, thank you for these words of friendship and for the way the delegation I am leading was received and welcomed. I would like to thank the French Ambassador to Iraq and the French Consul General in Erbil.

“At a very special moment for the whole world, where there are many security challenges that we must face together, as we mentioned during our meeting, France is strengthening itself. In the parliament we voted for a law to approve an unprecedented budget.

“When I say unprecedented, it reminds us of General Charles de Gaulle’s measures in the 1960s to manage various crisis situations such as the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the return of rivalry of global powers. Current issues include climate change and security challenges on land and sea, with a very prominent topic on the table: terrorism.

“As I told you, France has a deeply special relationship with this subject, which is an emotional relationship, and it is regrettable that it has a relationship with its calamities as well. We have seen the bombings in Paris and Nice, and we know what the blood shed in France has to do with misery. In confronting terrorism France is not an ordinary Western country like others.

“This forces us to verify the results achieved here by our forces through Operation North, as well as the operations within the framework of the international coalition. The operations were carried out within the framework of bilateral relations. The results of these operations are visible here and are reassuring.

“At the very least, the fight against terrorism remains a challenge. As a constant challenge, as a very delicate challenge for every moment, and completely with radical Islam which is the Islamic State (ISIS), our task is not over. Therefore, we must continue to cooperate in the field of intelligence and training. As you mentioned, Mr. President, I will not go back to these issues, but these are the keys to the future in order to accelerate the issues related to security.

“Then we will have the opportunity to come to another global issue: Ukraine. This is an issue that French diplomacy has been very busy with in the past. It is also an opportunity to tell the media here, as well as various observers, that France is not short-sighted when it says that the Ukraine crisis has occupied a lot of Western energy. We know how much we owe to our friends and all our partners to meet all the challenges that are key to regional stability, as well as to the security of Iraqi Kurdistan and French citizens.

“This is the message of this visit, which is a message of friendship and loyalty, a message of gratitude for the work done so far, as well as for the projects. Projects for the future are about the challenges we face, the challenges we constantly face and must face together.

“Thank you very much again for this warm welcome. I am happy for my first visit to Erbil that I will never forget.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-minister-of-armed-forces-of-france/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 19, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received General Matthew McFarlane, Commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, and his accompanying delegation, in Erbil today.

The meeting highlighted the reform process in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, the unification and reorganization of the Peshmerga, the problems and obstacles facing the process and ways to address the issues.

Both sides agreed that the process of unification and reorganization of the Peshmerga and reform at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs have not been carried out properly according to the program.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that despite the problems and obstacles, all efforts will continue to make the reform process and unification of the Peshmerga a success, and showed appreciation for the United States contributions and encouragement for the success of the process.

The meeting, which was attended by the US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, discussed also Erbil-Baghdad relations, the situation in the wider region and other issues of mutual interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-commander-of-coalition-forces-in-iraq-and-syria/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 18, 2023

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani was warmly received by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the Presidential Palace in Baku, Tuesday.

During their friendly meeting, the two leaders pledged to deepen the bilateral relations of Azerbaijan with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all areas, especially in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and energy. They also highlighted the investment opportunities for Azerbaijani companies in the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq.

The two sides stressed the importance of opening the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in the Kurdistan Region, and discussed the procedures to open the consulate in the near future to promote bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two sides.

They further discussed the ongoing efforts to launch direct flights between Erbil and Baku, and between Baku and Baghdad and other parts of Iraq, and to facilitate the issuance of visas and exchange of delegations between the two sides.

President Nechirvan Barzani also attended a meeting with the delegations of both sides including Charge d’Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Baku. In that meeting, the channels of communication between the two sides, and procedures to follow up on the recommendations of the meeting of the two Presidents were highlighted.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-and-president-ilham-aliyev-pledge-to-strengthen-bilateral-relations/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 17, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani is to arrive in Baku on Tuesday on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he will hold a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

President Nechirvan Barzani and President Ilham Aliyev are set to discuss the bilateral relations of Azerbaijan with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and ways to develop mutual cooperation.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-to-visit-the-republic-of-azerbaijan/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 2, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received the outgoing French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region Mr. Olivier Decottignies on Sunday, who paid a farewell visit to the President upon completion of his term in office.

The President thanked Consul General Decottignies for his efforts to promote his country’s relations with the Kurdistan Region and wished him success in his upcoming assignment.

For his part, the French Consul General referred to his term in office in the Kurdistan Region and thanked the President and relevant parties for their support during his tenure, and hoped the cooperation and support to continue for his successor. Mr. Decottignies also expressed appreciation for the efforts and contributions of President Nechirvan Barzani to promote relations between the Kurdistan Region and France.

The two sides also discussed the development of French relations with the Kurdistan Region and other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-bids-farewell-to-outgoing-consul-general-of-france/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, June 27, 2023

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, I warmly congratulate all Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world. I wish everyone a happy Eid.

On this day, let us embrace the messages of Eid on tolerance, peace, and reconciliation and turn it into an opportunity to renew friendship and to start a new chapter together.

Most of all, the people of Kurdistan expect the political parties to make this holiday an opportunity for unity and solidarity so that we can move towards a better future together. Let us all meet this expectation.

Happy holidays to all of you.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

Berlin, Germany, June 26, 2023

The following is a readout of President Nechirvan Barzani’s remarks to reporters after his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

“Our visit to Berlin was at the invitation of His Excellency the Chancellor of Germany. We had a good meeting this evening, in which we discussed matters of mutual interest between the Kurdistan Region and Germany, and the relations between Iraq and Germany. What we feel is that Berlin and His Excellency the Chancellor attach importance to developing these relations with Iraq, and with the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq.

“In this meeting, we discussed topics that were of interest to both of us. The topics were mostly how to develop our economic and political relations. We asked him to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as we felt that they attache great importance to their relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

The President also answered questions from the journalists.

Question: “To what extent, does the central government support the relations of the Kurdistan Region with other countries of the world?”

The President: “Indeed, before our visit to Berlin, we coordinated with the Prime Minister of Iraq and with Baghdad, and in all the meetings we have had here today, our (Iraqi) ambassador has participated in all the meetings with us, and we have spoken as one team. I’ve genuinely not seen Baghdad create any problems for these meetings of the Kurdistan Region with any parties.”

When asked another question about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and about Baghdad’s efforts to reduce the Kurdistan Region’s position and export of the Kurdistan Region’s oil, the President said:

“The relations between the KDP and the PUK are not extremely bad. The relations are bad, but not terrible. As we speak here today, the KDP and the PUK have held a meeting (in Erbil) and we hope that these meetings will continue so that we can achieve a result. Indeed, the Kurdistan Region’s position abroad, as well as in Iraq and Baghdad, will be stronger. All the efforts are within the framework of reaching an agreement with the PUK. The issue of oil in the Kurdistan Region is a matter that partly has to do with Baghdad and partly has to do with Turkey. Unfortunately, so far, we have not seen the necessary steps taken by Baghdad to export oil again.”

Regarding the increase of cooperation of Germany with the Peshmerga and the reconstruction of Shingal, the President said:

“In this meeting with H.E. the German Chancellor, we thanked Germany’s stance as they have supported the Kurdistan Region through hardships; militarily, economically and through humanitarian aid. Today, the German Chancellor reiterated that he finds it important to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all aspects. What we understood today is that indeed, the support will continue.”

In response to a question about Germany attaching importance to the Kurdistan Region, especially since, at the end of this year, the timeframe of the deployment of German forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will come to an end, the President said:

“We did not really discuss this issue, but as you are aware, the German Parliament extended the troop deployment of the German forces. Today, we talked with H.E. the Chancellor and reiterated that ISIS remains a danger to Iraq, and that Iraq still needs international support in this regards.”

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s position toward the presence of US forces in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Turkey after the elections in the country, the President said:

“The question of the presence of the United States is within the framework of an agreement that was made with Iraq and not outside of that agreement. There is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States and in this framework, American forces are present in Iraq. Our position and Baghdad’s position is that we still need international cooperation and, in this context, the United States is in Iraq as an ally force, and all the parties of Iraq agree that this cooperation should continue. As for Turkey, in the past and present, our relations with Turkey have been good, and we hope that the relations between Iraq and Turkey will improve gradually.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-germany-attaches-importance-to-its-relations-with-iraq-and-the-kurdistan-region/