EU delegation discuss developments in Kurdistan, region with Kurdish leaders

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A European Union (EU) delegation visited the Kurdistan Region on Wednesday and separately met with senior Kurdish leaders to discuss the latest developments in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Syria.

Jean-Christophe Belliard, the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service (EEAS), led the EU delegation which met with Masoud Barzani, the President of the leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and former President of the Kurdistan Region.

“During the meeting, the two sides spoke of the new developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the situation in Syria,” a statement from Barzani’s press office read.

They spoke of the process of the formation of the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet following last September’s parliamentary elections.

The two sides also discussed the new Iraqi government and how Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s tenure seems to be paving the path for a new chapter in relations between Baghdad and Erbil, the statement added.

“President Barzani reiterated his message of optimism insofar as the new Iraqi government is concerned,” and they also spoke of the situation in neighboring Syria in general and in the Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan) area in particular.

The delegation, which included EU Ambassador to Iraq Ramon Blecua, and head of EU Liaison Office in Erbil Clarisse Pasztory, also met with the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC), Masrour Barzani.

“On Iraq, Chancellor Barzani welcomed the recent progress in Erbil-Baghdad relations and encouraged Mr. Belliard to play a stronger role helping both governments settle disputes according to mechanisms outlined in Iraq’s Constitution,” according to the KRSC’s press office.

“Both sides discussed regional developments and bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and the European Union.”

During the meeting, the officials also spoke about the ongoing negotiations between political factions in Kurdistan over the new KRG cabinet, the KRSC statement said.

The EU delegation also met with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani.

The delegates highlighted the talks between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve their disputes and praised the Kurdistan Region’s efforts to harbor and protect over one million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing terror.

They also expressed readiness to support the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in various fields and to strengthen bilateral ties.

PM Barzani underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral ties as well as ongoing humanitarian and military support from EU members to the Kurdistan Region.

The two sides also addressed issues related to the situation in Iraq, Erbil-Baghdad ties and coordination, as well as the fear of the re-emergence of terrorism in the region.

The formation of the new KRG cabinet and the situation in neighboring countries were other topics discussed in the meeting.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany