Mr. Al-Ebadi’s journey as the new PM of Iraq to Iran made aiming to strengthen the relations between the I.R. of Iran and R. of Iraq. That the president of Iraq government chose Iran as the first destination of his foreign journeys carries this message that Baghdad grants Iran special importance, while past commuting between Iranian and Iraqi authorities often resulted in concrete political and economic accomplishments.

So it is expected that this trip includes positive results, especially in current conditions Iran has enacted his role in fighting against ISIS and in establishing security well in Iraq. This is not a phrase which the writer as the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran wants to jot it down. But many political and social personifications of Iraq have emphasized this within their talks. They have deemed Iran’s political role and his military cooperation with Iraqi Army and fighters as an effective and positive event.

Another standard for evaluating the results of Al-Ebadi’s journey to Tehran is the arrangement of ministers of his delegation. The presence of several ministers of key ministries of Iraq firstly indicates that the bilateral cooperation between Iran and Iraq in the fields finance, oil, security and economic tend to grow and the scope of cooperation of both will go beyond the level of common political agreements and ceremonies. In spite of the atmosphere of Tehran and Baghdad exposed to horrible political events these days while signing political and security contracts the authorities have taken important measures in economic and financial exchanges.

That is why the P.M are accompanied with the ministers whose economic responsibilities records are more outstanding to their other works. The ministers of oil, electricity, finance and water sources of Iraq along with a member of the Parliament of the country accompany Haydar Al-Ebadi.

Since the general policy of Iraq government in the field of economic is based on improving the share of private part and increasing the absorption of foreign capital. Whereas the newest economic contract between two countries, relating to assigning $300-milion credit to improve exporting goods and service from Iran to Iraq, has been signed according to this.

Aside from this, two important points to estimating Iraq and Iran statesmen have to be considered. First for the ministers accompanying Al-Ebadi each is the representative of political and social parties and organizations of Iraq and their presence in Tehran represent this fact that different sides of Iraq they have positive attitudes toward improving cooperation with Iran, in addition the new government’s decision concerning this is accepted by them.

Other aspect of the P.M’s journey to Iran is the analysis of this trip along with others of regional and international authorities who came to Iran this week and consulted on the region concerns especially ISIS terrorists and other Takfirists’ moves. These trips indicates Iran’s undeniable and active role in today concern of the Middle East. It is true that for theoretical and legal reasons Iran is absent on international alliance to fight against ISIS, but in fact it is Iran that has an active presence. The scope of Iran’s regional policy-making and his role in the region is a fact that cannot be neglected.      

On 26^th Dec, 2014 the president of Kurdistan parliament, In an interview received,  Ali Larijani, head of the Iranian Consultative Council , who was delighted to visit the Kurdistan Parliament and met with the President of the Parliament and the heads of parliamentary blocs of Kurdistan Parliament, stressing on the historical relations between the two sides and the Iranian assistance to the Kurdish people, especially during the period of dictatorship rule in Iraq, referring to the aid provided by the republic Islamic to Kurdish people during and after the fall of the dictatorial regime to establish a democratic system, the head of the Iranian Consultative Council insist on the need to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two sides during the coming period, and about the threat of terrorism organize ISIS terrorist.

For his part, Dr. Yousef Mohammad Sadiq President of the Kurdistan Parliament showed his happiness for visiting the Iranian parliament to the Kurdistan region and builds strong bilateral relations between the two sides, hoping this relation between the Kurdistan Parliament and Iranian Parliament.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi spoke by phone with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Friday to congratulate the President and the peshmerga forces for their recent gains against the ISIS terrorists, particularly in successfully breaking the siege of Mount Sinjar.

The Iraqi Prime Minster also reiterated Iraqi government’s full support to the efforts of the peshmerga forces in the fight against terrorism and underlined the importance of stronger cooperation between the two sides in this effort.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Salahaddin today. The President and the EU’s foreign policy chief discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists, including recent peshmerga gains in Sinjar, and the plight of hundreds of thousands of IDPs in Kurdistan.

Following their meeting, the two held a joint press conference, in which Federica Mogherini congratulated President Barzani for the recent victories by the peshmerga against the ISIS terrorists, especially in Sinjar district. She said the purpose of her visit to Kurdistan is to find out how the EU can further support Kurdistan in this fight, adding that the EU would ask its member states to continue to provide both military and humanitarian aid to Kurdistan.

The EU High Representative said that Kurdistan has scored three victories: the recent military successes against the ISIS terrorists, a psychological victory that ISIS can be defeated, and thirdly that Kurdistan has shown to the world that it is possible for different communities to live together in peace.

President Barzani thanked the EU and the international coalition countries for their military and humanitarian support for Kurdistan, and added that this support further strengthens the resolve of the peshmerga forces in their fight against the biggest and most vicious terrorist organization. The President said that it is a source of pride for the peshmerga to be fighting this terrorist organization on behalf of the whole world.

Link to their joint press conference.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the US Senator, Pat Roberts.

Senator Roberts expressed his pleasure for visiting the Kurdistan Region, particularly as the visit coincides with the victories marked by Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and its environs.

The Senator stressed that the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, poses a threat to peace and stability and its barbaric acts make it an enemy of mankind and needs to be defeated and eradicated.

He also stressed the importance of the relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region and further strengthening them, including through the increase of US aid to Kurdistan that would help to defeat terrorism.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for Senator Roberts views and stances, and briefed him on the latest political and military developments in the fight against ISIS and Peshmerga forces victories, particularly in the Mount Sinjar.

He also stressed that although the Peshmerga had made significant progress, they need heavy weaponry and more training in order to maintain the region secured. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the United States and the international coalition for their military support and air strikes, which helped Peshmerga forces to achieve these victories.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the conditions of the displaced people, particularly the Yezidis and Christians who fled to the Kurdistan Region, where the Kurdistan people and its government have provided them with as much assistance as possible as well as the provision of security.

He also stressed that the KRG will continue providing assistance to the internally displaced persons for as long as they stay in the Kurdistan Region. He stated that, however, there is no doubt that they are in dire need of greater assistance from the international community. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, received Federica Mogherini, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and her accompanying delegation at Erbil International Airport upon her arrival yesterday.

In a meeting between the two sides, Ms. Mogherini congratulated the people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces for the victories they have achieved in Sinjar area.

She said that during her visit to Baghdad, she had also congratulated the Iraqi President and Iraqi Prime Minister on the occasion of these victories. She stated that the victories of the Peshmerga in Sinjar areas are important both for the moral of the Peshmerga forces and that of the international community.

Both sides discussed the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS, and stressed that it poses a threat to humanity and that it is essential to confront it in all its forms.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the fight against ISIS could not be achieved only by military means. It should also be tackled both intellectually and ideologically, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the international coalition and its support, both humanitarian and military, provided to the Kurdistan Region. He also praised the vital role played by the coalition air force in supporting the Peshmerga forces.

Whilst the Prime Minister thanked Ms. Mogherini for European Union’s support, he asserted that the Peshmerga forces need further military assistance, particularly heavy weapons and military training.

In this regard, present at the meeting, the KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Mustafa Sayid Qadir highlighted the latest military developments in the war against ISIS and the needs and requirements of the Peshmerga forces.

Ms Mogherini emphasized that their efforts will continue to ensure that the Peshmerga are supported and assisted in all respects.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the plight of over 1.5 million displaced people and refugees, who fled ISIS violence and took refuge in Kurdistan Region. He called on the European Union to intensify its efforts to encourage members of the Union and the international community to be more active in regards to the plight of the displaced persons and their dire need for further assistance. He also called on the Federal Government of Iraq to provide further assistance in order to alleviate their suffering.

The two sides also discussed the recent agreement concluded early this month between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq on oil export and budgetary issues, Kurdistan relations with its neighbours and the repercussions of the war on terrorism in the region.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, on Sunday received Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the latest Peshmarga forces victories and advances in the town of Sinjar and its environs. The Dutch Minister, who visits Kurdistan Region for the first time, congratulated Prime Minister Barzani for these victories and reiterated his country’s humanitarian and military support for the Kurdistan Region.

He highlighted the Netherlands military activities in the fight against terrorism and the participation of his country’s air force at the international coalition against the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as ISIS.

Bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Netherlands were another topic discussed in the meeting. The two sides expressed their willingness to develop these relations, particularly in the sectors of trade, agriculture and energy. They have also discussed the Dutch companies’ activities in the Region and ways to develop them.

Regional political and military developments were also discussed, including the breakthrough agreement, which was concluded earlier this month, between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Region’s role in rebuilding post-2003 Iraq, Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring countries, the Kurdish issue and the peace process in Turkey and Syrian crisis.

Joint Press Conference

In a press conference, held following the meeting, both sides shed light on the topics discussed and answered questions from the press.  

Prime Minister Barzani praised the role of the Netherlands, which is currently involved, as part of the international coalition, in the fight against ISIS and provides assistance to the Peshmerga forces.

He also recalled Netherland’s role in protecting the Kurdistan Region against the repression inflicted by Saddam Hussein’s forces in 1991, which caused a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Kurds.

Prime Minister Barzani said, “We have discussed a range of topics in our meeting, including training of Peshmarga forces, providing humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region to assist the internally displaced and refugees and the Netherlands participation in the development of Kurdistan Region’s economy.”

The Dutch Foreign Minister reiterated that his country will continue its support to the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the field of energy and agriculture.

In the military domain, he pointed out that his country plans to send 100 military experts and trainers to Iraq.

He also commended the Kurdistan people and its government for providing assistance and sheltering such large number of internally displaced and refugees, fleeing ISIS repression in both Iraq and Syria.

The Dutch Foreign Minister welcomed the recent agreement between Erbil and Baghdad describing it as a catalyst for resolving other outstanding issues.

He expressed his country's willingness to participate in the Kurdistan Region’s development.

Sinjar Operations

With regards to the victories marked by Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and its environs in the past few days, the Prime Minister congratulated the Peshmerga forces and expressed his gratitude.

He said, “They have performed their tough duty courageously. As you know that these operations were led under the direct command of Kurdistan Region’s President, Masoud Barzani, who has been monitoring the situation and personally directing the operations in all the positions … Sinjar is very important for us, particularly for President Barzani, which is why he personally participated in these operations.”

He added, “We have liberated large territories, and despite the fact that the entire town of Sinjar is not yet totally freed, there is a remarkable progress and we hope, God willing, to hear good news soon … It is to underline that the Peshmerga forces have marked one of their great victories.”

Ankara, Turkey, (KRG.org) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, in his new presidential palace, Aksaray, on Friday.

The two sides discussed the situation in Iraq and the region, the latest developments in the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, known as ISIS, and the recent advances marked by the Peshmerga forces in Sinjar and Zummar frontline.

The Turkish President expressed his satisfaction with the recent victories by the Peshmerga forces.

The agreement, which was reached early December between Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government of Iraq, was another topic discussed in the meeting.

President Erdogan lauded both sides for the breakthrough agreement for which he expressed his support. He wished the agreement could pave the way to resolve the rest of the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Prime Minister Barzani and President Erdogan also discussed bilateral relations between Erbil and Ankara. They emphasised on developing and broadening these relations, particularly in domains that are of interest for both sides.