Agriculture, tourism lead talks in Erbil meeting between KRG PM, Greek diplomats

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday met with top Greek diplomats in Iraq, discussing a wide range of topics, among them the latest developments across the wider region.

The meeting took place in Erbil with Greek Ambassador to Iraq Leonidas Kontovounesios leading a delegation that included the Consul-General of the Hellenic Republic to Erbil Efthymios Costopoulos, according to a statement from Barzani's office.

Ambassador Kontovounesios affirmed his country's readiness to further develop ties with the Kurdistan Region, especially in the agricultural and tourism sectors, the statement added.

Athens upgraded its representative office in the Kurdistan Region in late 2018, with the stated aim of strengthening bilateral relations with the autonomous Kurdish region.

“I am very proud to open the consulate and be the first Consul-General of Greece in Erbil. This was the decision that was taken because we believe our relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are very important,” Costopoulos told Kurdistan 24 in early 2019.

The Consul-General has since met with senior Kurdish leaders and officials several times.

Editing by John J. Catherine