French armed forces minister meets with Kurdistan officials in Erbil

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received Florence Parly, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, in a meeting on Thursday in Erbil.

Parly arrived in Erbil International Airport that afternoon following her visit to Baghdad and was met by the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shorsh Ismail and Safeen Dizayee, the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations.

"Prime Minister Barzani thanked France for its continued support to the Kurdistan Region, especially during the war on ISIS," read a KRG statement.

"He expressed concern regarding recent ISIS attacks in Iraq, adding that the terrorist organisation still poses serious threats. In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of stronger coordination between Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces."

He pointed out had the extremist group had recently been increasing attacks in multiple areas across Iraq, most notably in territories disputed by Erbil and Baghdad.

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"Minister Parly underscored France’s support for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and expected that Coalition training of Peshmerga forces, which has been on hold due to the coronavirus, to resume in the near future," the statement continued.

The meeting concluded with both sides speaking of the further development of economic ties between their nations, apart from military coordination.

Parly also meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, who extended his gratitude, stating, "France has supported Kurdistan in many phases, and we are looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations." 

In addition to her authority over the French military in her role as Minister of the Armed Forces, Parly is also a member of both the national Defense and Intelligence Councils and heads the external and military intelligence community.

Editing by John J. Catherine