Russian energy delegates predict ‘bright future for Kurdistan’ in meeting with Masoud Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A Russian energy delegation met with the former President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, on Thursday to discuss fostering bilateral ties between Moscow and Erbil.

The delegation consisted of Pavel Sorokin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Vladislav Baryshnikov, Vice-President of Rosneft, and an accompanying group of diplomats.

In the meeting with Barzani, who is the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Sorokin highlighted the challenges the Kurdistan Region has experienced as well as the ongoing developments in the region, a readout from Barzani’s press office said.

The Russian Deputy Minister of Energy described his country’s relationship with the Kurdish semi-autonomous region as important, and mentioned that a bright future awaits the Kurdistan Region, the statement added.

Sorokin also called for the widening of relations between the Region and Russia in the energy, technology, and other sectors.

Barzani praised Russia and its President Vladimir Putin for their stance toward the people of the Kurdistan Region. He also highlighted the friendship and historical ties between Kurdistan and Russia.

The former Kurdistan Region President also expressed his desire to foster relations between Erbil and Moscow.

The Russian delegation also met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday to discuss oil and gas deals and emphasize cooperation between the two nations.

Rosneft, Russia’s oil giant, recently revealed its plans to start upstream projects in the Kurdistan Region by the end of 2018. The deals, based on a production sharing agreement between Rosneft and the KRG, were signed in October 2017.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany