PM Barzani, EU Amb. to Iraq talk 'strengthening' EU and Kurdistan Region ties
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the European Union's Ambassador to Iraq, Martin Huth, met on Thursday and stressed the importance of developing ties between the autonomous region and the confederation of European nations.
This came during a meeting in Erbil, during which Barzani praised the EU "for its dependable and consistent support to the Kurdistan Region," according to a press release from the prime minister's office.
Barzani stated that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) "remains committed to being a positive driving force for peace and stability in Iraq and the broader region."
The KRG and the federal Iraqi government have been working to settle long-standing issues that include oil exports, budget shares, Disputed territories, and control of international borders located in the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdish premier on Tuesday welcomed British support for the Erbil-Baghdad talks.
Read More: PM Masrour Barzani 'welcomes' UK support for Erbil-Baghdad talks
The two officials also "underscored the importance of strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region and European Union, as well as other likeminded partners."
Ambassador Huth, according to the KRG statement, noted that "the Kurdistan Region is an example of success and growth in Iraq," and added that "the European Union is prepared to further develop bilateral trade relations."
Diversifying the Kurdistan Region's economy and making it more favorable to foreign investment has been among the working agendas of the regional prime minister's cabinet.
Read More: KRG stresses' economic diversification,' facilitates foreign investment: PM Masrour Barzani
Barzani also expressed the KRG's "readiness to facilitate the sharing of information and expertise, and welcomed greater investment from the European Union."
"The government is maintaining efforts to fully execute its reform agenda and complete development projects despite the global pandemic and protracted financial crisis in the region," he concluded.
Editing by John J. Catherine