President Nechirvan Barzani: Everyone is a winner: unity, consensus and partnership

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 12, 2021

My fellow citizens,
Political parties and factions in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,

I congratulate everyone on holding successful elections for the Council of Representatives. Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are now in a new phase and regardless of the final outcome of the elections, everyone is a winner. We need to come together and prepare ourselves for our collective duties, responsibilities and challenges ahead.

Unity, tolerance and partnership among all of us are the keys to success, which ensure the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region. It is the way we can protect our hard-won achievements, the federal system and political entity of the Kurdistan Region. All political parties and forces of Kurdistan need to come together in unity and common purpose, and fulfill our joint duty and responsibility. We need to work together for a better present and a promising future for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. And for this purpose, we must cooperate with the Iraqi sides and parties.

It is our duty as Iraq’s political parties and factions to take serious steps towards resolving the problems of the country through realistic and new understanding and vision, and by drawing lessons from past errors. This is how we can work for a stable and prosperous Iraq in which the constitutional rights of all communities are ensured and safeguarded. And this is the Iraq that will bring us together in harmony, mutual trust, collaboration, common destiny, collective efforts, the public interest, genuine partnership, consensus and equality.

I thank citizens, all parties and institutions, the administrative and security apparatuses, the media and civil society institutions, which were supportive in holding calm election campaigns. I thank the efforts of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, local and foreign observers, the United Nations teams, especially the Head of the UNAMI team in Iraq, the European Union and the Arab League who monitored the election process. It is the right step on the right path. Our participation in the election of our representatives in Baghdad demonstrates our commitment to democratic values and principles.

At the same time, the voter turnout is a clear message from the citizens that they expect better livelihood and improved public services, which they are entitled to. This should be a lesson for all of us in the government and the political parties in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, encouraging us for serious reassessments and reestablishment of trust. It should also encourage us to work and serve more.

It is time now to work together and form a patriotic federal government which mirrors the will and expectations of the citizens; a government which implements the constitution, empowers state institutions, assumes control of the extrajudicial armed groups, corrects the political process based on the constitution and partnership of all Iraqi communities, and takes charge of the country towards a better future for everyone.

I wish everyone success.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-message-on-the-successful-conclusion-of-parliamentary-elections-in-iraq/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday met UNAMI chief Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

Both sides discussed the latest developments in Iraq including the elections, the role of international monitoring teams and the UN’s contribution to a successful poll.

They hoped the new Iraqi government will serve everyone fairly.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2021/october/pm-masrour-barzani-meets-unami-chief/

Variety, the reputable film magazine, has published a news from Mansour Jahani, the independent international journalist, in regards to the success and achievements of Tehran International Short Film Festival among the Oscar Qualified festivals.

The important and incredible magazine, Variety, published this report under the title ‘“Tehran International Short Film Festival Named An Academy Award Qualified Festival”it’s been written: The Movie which will receive the main international prize at the Tehran Short Film Festival festival will be eligible to be introduce to Oscar directly.

The Tehran Intl. Short Film Festival is organized by the Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS). Few other festivals in the region have received this honor - Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India are the only nearby countries with Academy Award-qualifying festivals, according to IYCS and festival director Sadeq Musavi, who also said there are only 127 short film festivals worldwide that provide Oscar eligibility.

“At present, there are over 10,000 festivals being organized across the world. Most of them are unreliable. Meanwhile, the Tehran International Short Festival has a good status in the world. Although the festival is not decidedly familiar, it can be considered as the most important short film festival in West Asia,” Musavi said. “Free registration will be set aside after the restrictions on international payments are lifted, and, like other festivals, we will collect a registration fee from participants and the festival will be able to cover all its expenses.” Musavi also said that the festival is the only one in the region to offer a free admission program.

The Tehran short film festival takes place every year in October and is a member of Intl. Short Film Conference. The 2020 edition of the festival screened 55 films, which were produced across five different continents.

For more details:
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/film-news-in-brief-september-20-1235069493/

 Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met Marie Paret, head of the EU’s Erbil Liaison Office.

The PM congratulated Marie Paret on her new role before addressing the ninth cabinet’s economic reforms and improved provision of services.

The EU official expressed the bloc’s wish to cooperate more with the KRG and boost bilateral ties.

Iraqi elections, monitoring mechanisms, and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad were also discussed.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 30, 2021

Kurdistan Region President received Mr. Khalid bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, the Ambassador of Qatar to Iraq, in Erbil on Thursday.

Discussions covered Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Qatar and ways to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in economy and commerce, and encouraging Qatari investments in different areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Discussions also focused on the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, the importance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with neighboring and regional countries, the upcoming Iraqi elections and other topics of mutual interest.

 Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met a delegation of two Swedish MPs, Hakan Svenneling and Yasmine Posio.

They discussed the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s upcoming elections.

The living conditions of all of Kurdistan Region’s diverse communities were discussed, along with the implementation of the Shingal agreement, refugees, IDPs and how to ease their return.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, September 30, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Ms. Jennifer Gavito, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran and Iraq, in Erbil on Thursday.

At the meeting, also attended by the US Consul General, the relations of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with the United States were highlighted. Ms. Gavito reaffirmed that the US views Iraq as a significant partner and stressed that the US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are friendly based on long-term strategic partnership which cover many areas. Ms. Gavito viewed the stability of Iraq as important and necessary to maintain stability in the wider region. Both sides agreed that this visit is important and timely to demonstrates the US engagement with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Mrs. Gavito reiterated America’s commitment to continue its support for reforms in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the reorganization of the Ministry’s forces, noting that the US can assist and participate in the Kurdistan Region in other areas including in security, energy, economy and education. She also referred to her visit to Erbil Castle and the restoration process at the historical site, stressing that they will encourage American investments in the Kurdistan Region, particularly through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) which provides financial support to investment projects.

President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Mrs. Gavito on assuming the new office, commended the continued US support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and reiterated the readiness of the Kurdistan Region to strengthen relations with the US and to expand mutual cooperation. The President also referred to the increasing investment opportunities for American businesses in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Discussions also covered the upcoming elections in Iraq and the importance of the ongoing preparations to hold fair and free polls in the country. The President hoped that the elections would provide another opportunity for all Iraqi forces and parties to work together and implement the Constitution and the federal system.

The Iraq-US Strategic Dialogue, the latest political and security developments in Iraq, the challenges facing the country, the threats of terrorism and ISIS operations in Iraq and the wider region, the tasks of the International Coalition in Iraq, the relations of Erbil and Baghdad and other issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday met Attila Toth, Hungary’s new Consul General to Erbil.

PM Barzani congratulated Toth on assuming office, wishing him luck.

The Consul General pledged Hungary places great value on coexistence in the Kurdistan Region and wants deeper ties, especially in trade and investment.

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