Rojava diplomatic missions open in Europe

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region (K24) – The first foreign diplomatic missions of Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) are to open in Germany and Russia this week, the Kurdish autonomous administration in northeastern Syria announced on Thursday.

After opening the first diplomatic mission in the city of Sulaimani in the Kurdistan Region on Aug. 15, 2015, the Autonomous Administration of Rojava will open two international offices in Moscow and Berlin.   

Speaking to K24 from Sulaimani, Sherzad Yazidi, the head of Rojava diplomatic mission in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said on Monday, “Our office in Kurdistan was a successful experience and a starting point for opening offices in Europe.”

“During Victor Simakov's [Consul-General of the Russian Federation to Kurdistan Region] visit to our representative office last week, he reiterated Russia's support for democratic Kurdish initiatives in northeast Syria, including opening the diplomatic mission in Moscow,” Yazidi said.

Yazidi further noted that Simakov expressed his support for the Kurds' role in the war against the Islamic State (IS), and praised the role of the People's Protection Units (YPG), Woman’s Protection Units (YPJ) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their war against terrorism.

Amina Osse, Deputy Foreign Affairs Manager of Jazira Canton in Rojava, told K24 on Monday, “Opening diplomatic missions for Rojava in many European countries is high on the agenda for 2016.”

“The representative missions aim at promoting friendly relations between the host countries and Rojava, and introducing the international community and the active powers to the unique democratic experience of Rojava,” Osse said.

Osse further pointed out that the Rojava representative offices are the first steps leading to international recognition of an autonomous de facto authority in northern Syria.

Reporting by Hisham Arafat

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin and Karzan Sulaivany

Sherzad Yazidi, the head of Rojava diplomatic mission in Kurdistan Region of Iraq inaugurating Rojava representative office in Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Aug 15, 2015. Photo by Kurdistan24