Politics

Kurdistan President discusses strengthening ties Dutch Consul General

President Nechirvan Barzani stated that “the Kurdistan Region can benefit from the Netherlands’ rich experience in many fields, especially agriculture and higher education.”

Mustafa Shilani 2020/10/25 20:35

kurdistan Kurdistan Netherlands agriculture Dutch private sector

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The President of Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, on Sunday discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the region and the Netherlands in a meeting with the Dutch Consul General in Erbil, Hans Akerboom.

Area of particular focus Barzani and Akerboom addressed was “agriculture and the private sector,” a statement from Barzani’s office said.

The Kurdish president reiterated Erbil’s “willingness to develop and expand ties with the Netherlands,” stating that “the Kurdistan Region can benefit from the Netherlands’ rich experience in many fields, especially agriculture and higher education.”

The President explained, “there are ample opportunities to develop the Region’s agriculture sector and this is where the Dutch private sector and businesses can get involved and invest.”

The Dutch Consul General reaffirmed that the Netherlands seeks to expand bilateral relations with the Kurdistan Region. He also “shed light” on potential for cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and his country’s public and private sectors, especially in the area of agriculture.”

Developing the agricultural sector in the Kurdistan Region was an area the previous Kurdish government focused on. The current administration has stepped up efforts to help the region’s farmers modernize their practice and gain a competitive edge over foreign imports.

President Barzani and the Consul General also addressed “the situation and activities of the Kurdistani community in the Netherlands, the latest developments in the Region and Iraq, threats of terrorism, COVID-19 pandemic, and developments in the wider region.”

Both sides also exchanged views regarding a range of other issues of bilateral interest and cooperation, including the implementation of reform efforts in the Kurdistan Region, training of Peshmerga forces, Erbil-Baghdad relations and the fight against terrorism and confronting ISIS.

Editing by Khrush Najari