Australia seeks to develop relations with Kurdistan Region: Ambassador to Iraq

The Ambassador expressed her country's desire to develop existing relations between Australia and the Kurdistan Region and extend collaboration in other fields.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Australia’s Ambassador to Iraq on Tuesday congratulated the Kurdistan Region on its recent parliamentary elections and expressed her country’s desire to develop relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with Australian Ambassador to Iraq Joanne Loundes and an accompanying delegation in Erbil, a readout on the KRG’s website read.

Loundes expressed her happiness with the success of the electoral process in Kurdistan’s recent polls and offered her congratulations to PM Barzani, the readout said.

Kurdistan’s parliamentary election kicked off on Sept. 30 for over three million voters, the first regional elections since the defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS).

The Kurdistan Region’s Independent High Election and Referendum Commission (IHERC) announced the preliminary results of 85 percent of the ballots on Oct. 4, noting it would carefully investigate all complaints and appeals before revealing final results.

The Australian Ambassador hoped for speedy efforts to form a government in Kurdistan, and also wished the same for the new government formation in Baghdad following Iraq’s May 12 elections and its appointment of a new president and prime minister.

According to the KRG readout, Loundes said successful governments in Iraq and Kurdistan would restore security and stability to the region.

Australian Ambassador to Iraq Joanne Loundes and an accompanying delegation met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil, Oct. 16, 2018. (Photo: KRG)
Australian Ambassador to Iraq Joanne Loundes and an accompanying delegation met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil, Oct. 16, 2018. (Photo: KRG)

The Ambassador also discussed Australia’s humanitarian aid to Iraq. In January, Australia joined the United States and other countries in announcing the provision of financial assistance to support displaced persons in Iraq and promote stability in the country.

PM Barzani thanked Loundes for her visit and expressed the KRG’s readiness to cooperate and coordinate in all forms to implement Australia’s humanitarian assistance.

Since IS’ emergence in mid-2014, the Kurdistan Region has provided shelter and security to millions of displaced persons.

Both officials also voiced their desire to develop existing relations between Australia and Kurdistan and extend collaboration in other fields.