Macron phones Kurdistan PM, Iraqi PM-designate to discuss Iraq political process

Prime Minister Barzani also thanked Macron for his role in easing tensions between Erbil and Baghdad during the October 2017 events, particularly his efforts in facilitating dialogue to break Iraq's siege on the Kurdistan Region.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – France President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday spoke separately over the phone with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Prime Minister and Iraq’s prime minister-designate to discuss bilateral relations and the formation of a new Iraqi government.

President Macron and KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani examined the latest political developments in Iraq and the formation of a new government, a statement on the KRG’s website read.

During their phone call, Macron underlined the need for all Iraqi parties to participate in Iraq’s government formation, especially parties from the Kurdistan Region.

Barzani, meanwhile, praised President Macron and France’s continued support to the Region, noting that Kurdistan would participate in the Iraqi political process and formation of a new cabinet.

Barzani hoped for continued French relations with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The KRG PM also thanked Macron for his role in easing tensions between Erbil and Baghdad during the October 2017 events which followed Kurdistan’s historic referendum, particularly his efforts in facilitating dialogue between the two sides to resolve their issues and break the siege on the Kurdistan Region.

In another phone call, Macron spoke with Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul Mahdi.

According to a statement by Abdul Mahdi’s office, the French leader congratulated him on his election as prime minister-designate and wished him success in his work to form the new Iraqi government.

“Macron stressed the need for continued support from France to Iraq in the next stage, particularly in the aspect of reconstruction [of the liberated areas from the Islamic State] and other sectors,” the statement added.

Macron and Abdul Mahdi discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and France and various ways to strengthen ties, as well the general situation in Iraq and the importance of international support for the country’s reconstruction, the statement concluded.

On Wednesday, the French President said his country would continue to stand by Iraq and the Iraqi people in the future regarding reconstruction, humanitarian aid, as well as politics.  

Macron’s comment came in response to a Kurdistan 24 question asking the French President if he had any message to relay to Abdul Mahdi on the sidelines of a European summit in Brussels, Belgium.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany