Kurdistan Regional (741)
US, UK, Italy, France, Germany Express Support for Kurdistan Region
Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP,org) – Since the start of the campaign by the terrorist group ISIS to attack the Kurdistan Region last week, many countries have expressed their support to the KRG in its fight against the terrorism, and have also offered humanitarian aid to the tens of thousands of IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan.
US Vice President Biden, Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini all called President Barzani this week to show the support and solidarity of their countries for the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the terrorist group ISIS.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius visited Erbil on Sunday and met with President Barzani. In a joint press conference following their meeting, President Barzani thanked the Unites States and France and other countries that have offered their support to the Kurdistan Region.
Prime Minister Barzani congratulates Prime Minister Erdogan upon election victory
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani congratulated current Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon the announcement of preliminary results indicating his victory in Turkey’s presidential elections. Prime Minister Barzani wished Prime Minister Erdogan, the Republic of Turkey, and its citizens continued success.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Turkey’s direct presidential elections will bring forth further development in Turkey, opening new policies and improvements in all fields. He also expressed his wish to see continued development and coordination, in various sectors, in the mutually beneficial relationship between Erbil and Ankara. Finally, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated his hope for a resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey and a successful conclusion to the peace process under the Erdogan presidency.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Barzani and reiterated his wish for further development and expansion in the relationship between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani Welcomes French Foreign Minister
Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a French diplomatic delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of France, Mr. Laurent Fabius today in Erbil. During the meeting, President Barzani warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his thanks to the government of France for their support of the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani during a press conference with Mr. Laurent Fabius discussed the latest political developments in Iraq and the security and military situation in the Kurdistan Region. President Barzani stated that the terrorists of ISIS will not be able to damage the relations between the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and our Arab brothers and that ISIS is a common enemy for all of Iraq and much beyond.
Canada thanks Kurdistan for fighting on behalf of world and will provide logistical military support
Erbil, Kurdistan (DFR.KRG.org) – Bruno Saccomani, Canada’s Ambassador to Iraq, visited the KRG Department of Foreign Relations today to express Canada’s support for the Kurdistan Region and to discuss ways of providing assistance.
Minister Falah Mustafa thanked the ambassador for visiting and supporting the Kurdistan Region at this important time. He briefed Ambassador Saccomani about the latest security and humanitarian developments and reiterated the KRG’s call for international support.
Ambassador Saccomani praised Kurdish Peshmerga forces, stating, “We thank Kurdistan for fighting the ISIS militants on behalf of the world.” He commended the humanitarian assistance provided to the refugees and internally displaced people by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the people of Kurdistan Region. He said, “Thank you for being such a great example to the rest of the world. Your compassion and generosity is very much admirable.”
The ambassador emphasized the importance of preserving the safety and stability of the Kurdistan Region, as it has become a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of refugees and IDPs. “During times of chaos, people run to safety. Because of the KRG and Peshmerga forces, people are running to the Kurdistan Region for safety now,” said the ambassador.
Ambassador Saccomani stated that ISIS is an international threat; therefore, the international community has a moral responsibility to come forward and actively support the Kurdistan Region in terms of humanitarian and military support. He expressed Canada’s full support for the American air strikes against ISIS positions. The ambassador stated that the government of Canada hears the KRG loud and clear and that it will very soon provide logistical military support as well as humanitarian assistance to the refugees and IDPs. The Ambassador spoke of providing urgent medical support for the thousands of Yezidis who were stranded on Mount Sinjar for several days and have taken shelter in the province of Duhok.
Minister Mustafa thanked the Ambassador for Canada’s support and reiterated the determination of the Kurdish leadership and Kurdish Peshmerga forces to continue to fight ISIS terrorists.
Michael Calan, Director General of the Middle East Division at the Canadian Department of International Development and Karwan Jamal, Deputy Head of the DFR, also attended the meeting.
Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister expresses support for Kurdistan
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (DFR.krg.org) – The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, today welcomed Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli and his delegation to discuss the latest security, humanitarian, and political developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
Minister Mustafa thanked the Deputy Minister for his visit and the attention that the government of Italy has paid to the recent developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The Minister highlighted the latest developments and expressed the KRG’s disappointment in the lack of humanitarian and military support offered by the international community. He said, “We expected more than expressions of gratitude and appreciation. The international community is turning a blind eye to the urgent security and humanitarian challenges facing the people of Kurdistan.”
He spoke of the security threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), stating, “Kurdish Peshmerga forces are facing a terrorist organization with members across the globe. This is a serious situation. Peshmerga forces are left alone and are fighting on behalf of the entire international community. ISIS poses a global threat; therefore, the international community has a moral responsibility to actively support the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in fighting ISIS militants.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Pistelli praised the role of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the KRG in response to recent security and humanitarian developments. He also condemned in strongest terms the violence perpetrated against Christians and Yezidis, lamenting the plight of these communities. He said, “The world is fully aware of the humanitarian assistance provided by the KRG to the refugees and IDPs, and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces are doing an excellent job.”
In response to the KRG’s call for urgent humanitarian and military assistance, the Deputy Minister stated, “I will convey the message of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the government of Italy and the European Union. We understand the situation in the Kurdistan Region. You are shouldering a heavy burden on behalf of the international community, and you can not be left alone.”
Minister Mustafa reiterated the determination of the Kurdish leadership and Kurdish Peshmerga forces to continue to fight ISIS terrorists.
Italy’s Ambassador to Iraq, Massimo Moratti, and the Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Iraq Desk, Alessandro Motti, also attended the meeting. Deputy Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Karwan Jamal, and KRG Representative to Italy Rezan Kadir participated as well.
Prime Minister Barzani: Rest assured that we will defeat the terrorists
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has issued a statement reassuring the people of Kurdistan that Peshmerga forces are advancing and will defeat the terrorists, and that the people should not panic.
The full text of the Prime Minister’s statement:
A message to the people of Kurdistan
We reassure the beloved and resilient people of Kurdistan that our Peshmerga are advancing on the Sinjar front and have defeated the terrorist forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Makhmour and Jalawla. The Kurdistan Regional Government, with its faith in Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces, promises the people of Kurdistan that it will not allow terrorists to defile the sacred land of Kurdistan nor hinder the continuation of life in Kurdistan.
We urge the people not to panic and to remain calm in their places and continue their normal work and life. We promise the people of Kurdistan to strike the terrorists with an iron fist. We will abolish the threat facing Kurdistan and the region. We must all have faith in the Peshmerga and support them.
We ask the people and the youth of Kurdistan to keep their spirits high. We should all believe in our legitimate cause. We are now defending the sacred land of Kurdistan against an invading terrorist force. That requires the highest morale, especially as the terrorists are suffering defeat due to pressure from Peshmerga forces. Therefore, we ask the people of Kurdistan to keep up their spirits and remain calm.
Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government
6 August 2014
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