Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation’s visit to the Vatican, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his accompanying delegation yesterday met the Vatican Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Vatican. Foreign Minister Archbishop Gallagher said that the Vatican closely observes and follows up the situation in the Kurdistan and the wider region. He added that he is glad to hear about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the wider Middle East from the KRG delegation.

The talks focused on the current war against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces progress on the frontline. The situation of Iraqi internally displaced people and Syrian refugees, who fled the violent repression of ISIS and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, was also highlighted in the meeting.

The Prime Minister reiterated that further assistance from donor countries and the international community are needed to help the refugees and IDPs.

The Vatican’s Foreign Minister praised Kurdistan Regional Government for providing shelter and assistance to the displaced people and refugees. He also praised the role played by the Peshmerga Forces in defending all the people of the region, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, against terrorism.

The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, received yesterday in Rome a Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed the gratitude of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region to Italy for its provision of essential humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region and for the visit last summer by the Italian Prime Minister to Erbil, which Prime Minister Barzani described as excellently timed as it helped show that the Kurdistan Region was supported, while facing serious terrorist threat.

He briefed the Italian Prime Minister about the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region and the continuous progress marked by the Peshmerga forces on the frontline against the Islamic terrorist organisation, ISIS. He also highlighted the situation of the displaced people from the rest of Iraq and the Syrian refugees who constitute a heavy burden on the Kurdistan Regional Government, stressing that they desperately need further assistance.

Italian Prime Minister Renzi reiterated that his government “will continue to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region, and in order to eradicate terrorism we will stand side by side with the Kurdistan Region in every way possible.” He also expressed his respect to the courage of the Peshmerga Forces in their fight against terrorism.

Mr. Renzi expressed his concern for the spread of terrorist organisations in other parts of the world, stressing the need to confront terrorism all together.

He added that Italy will support the Kurdistan Region because it has a strategic position, considering Italy as Kurdistan people’s friend.

Prime Minister Renzi stated that Italy has decided to upgrade its diplomatic representation in Erbil to Consulate General, considering that this move will send a message to the world that the situation in the Kurdistan Region is better than before. He stated, “It is important for us that Kurdistan Region’s stability continues.”

Both sides also discussed the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, the situation in Mosul, political developments in Iraq and the importance of including all the components of Iraqi society in governance. They also discussed the situation in Syria and its repercussion on the situation in Iraq and the wider region. The two sides reiterated that a political solution is needed for the Syrian crisis.

The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - On the second day of its official visit to Italy, Kurdistan Regional Government delegation was received yesterday by the Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Italy, the latest developments in the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and the recent victories achieved by the Peshmerga Forces.

The liberation of the city of Mosul and the importance of including various Iraqi ethnic and religious groups in the operation in coordination with the international coalition forces, were highlighted in the talks.

The situation of the displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees who fled ISIS violence and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, the agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad last December and the crisis in Syria and its repercussion on the neighbouring countries, were topics also discussed in the meeting.

Foreign Minister Gentiloni stressed his country’s commitment to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region. He reiterated what the Italian Prime Minister had announced the day earlier regarding upgrading Italy’s diplomatic representation to Consulate General. He added that this decision was the evidence of the importance that Rome places in its relationship with Erbil.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Italian government for supporting the Kurdistan Region in its fight against terrorism and for its decision to upgrade the level of its diplomatic representation in Erbil to Consulate General.

Regarding the relationship with Baghdad, Prime Minister said the Kurdistan Regional Government remains fully committed to the agreement that it signed with the federal Iraqi government, adding that the Kurdistan Regional Government was always ready to settle all the issues with Baghdad through dialogue and mutual understanding.

The meeting was also attended by KRG Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with President of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) David Miliband in his office in Salahaddin to discuss the humanitarian situation of the IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan.

Mr. Miliband said his organization has been active in Kurdistan, and he is here to find out for himself how the IRC could further help the KRG cope with the large numbers of IDPs. He said the IRC would conduct advocacy in countries around the world to direct more urgently needed assistance for IDPs and help the KRG cope with this heavy burden.

For his part, President Barzani thanked the IRC for its activities helping IDPs and refugees. He stated that providing shelter and assistance for the IDPs is a priority of the KRG, but the fundamental solution to this problem is to expel the terrorists and for these people to then be able to return to their homes.
The two also discussed the political and security situation in the country in general.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with the UK Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Frank Baker in his office is Salahaddin today. The President and the UK Ambassador exchanged views on the fight against the ISIS terrorists, UK support to the peshmerga forces, and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

President Masoud Barzani today met French Chief of Defense General Pierre de Villiers in Salahaddin to discuss the fight against the ISIS terrorists. President Barzani said the people of Kurdistan appreciate France’s continuous support for the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.

For his part, General Pierre de Villiers said that France will stand by the people of Kurdistan in this fight, and it would continue to provide military support to the peshmerga forces.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The President and the US Senator discussed the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists, and international coalition support for the peshmerga forces in this fight.

Senator Corker, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery of the peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists and said that the United States would continue to help the peshmerga forces. He also said that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and in taking in many internally displaced people from other parts of Iraq.

President Barzani thanked the US senator and the American people for their support of Kurdistan. The President said that fighting the ISIS terrorists cannot be the responsibility of Kurdistan and the members of the international coalition alone; other countries, he said, must also step up their efforts.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The President and the US Senator discussed the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists, and US and coalition support for the peshmerga forces in this fight.

Senator Reed, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists. He said the United States would continue to help the peshmerga forces in providing air support, training and with the provision of arms. He added that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and for their generosity in providing refuge many internally displaced people from other parts of Iraq.

President Barzani thanked the US senator and the American people for their support of Kurdistan. The President said that fighting the ISIS terrorists cannot be the responsibility of Kurdistan and the members of the international coalition alone; other countries, he said, must also step up their efforts. He said that other countries must help to stop the flow of ISIS fighters, and also to dry up their sources of funding.