KRG stresses need for continued French support to Kurdistan Region and Iraq

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his thanks and appreciation for the political, military, and humanitarian support that France has provided to the autonomous region of Iraq on Tuesday.

He also praised the planned project of a French aid organization to build a hospital in the disputed district of Sinjar (Shingal), from which tens of thousands of members of the Yezidi (Ezidi) religious minority fled in 2014 to escape the Islamic State. 

Barzani's office said that he had received the French ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Aubert, and the head of the Crisis Support Center at the French Foreign Ministry, Eric Chevallier, as well as their accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Barzani reiterated his assertion that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will continue to depend on the role and support of France and the rest of the international community to address terrorism and Erbil-Baghdad disputes.

Members of the delegation renewed their country's commitment to the Kurdistan Region in confronting terrorism, diplomatic issues, and humanitarian concerns.

Regarding the conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in various camps across the country, Barzani stressed the desire of the Kurdistan Region to facilitate a voluntarily, safe, and supported return of the displaced to their areas of origin.

Also during the meeting, held at the French Consulate in Erbil, participants also touched on the recently reported agreement between Baghdad and Erbil that intends to normalize the security and administration situation in Shingal, upcoming Iraqi elections, relations between the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries, as well as a number of other pressing issues.

Editing by John J. Catherine