UK will use its influence to resolve Erbil, Baghdad disputes: Ambassador
“The UK and many other countries will be supporting the rights, stability, security and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region."
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The United Kingdom will continue supporting Kurdistan within Iraq and will use its influence to push Baghdad to resolve ongoing disputes with the Region, the British Ambassador to Iraq said on Tuesday.
During a press conference in Erbil, UK Ambassador to Iraq Jon Wilks said his country supports the Kurdistan Region’s rights within Iraq and encouraged British businesses to invest in the Region.
“The Kurdistan Region, as the most stable and most developed region in Iraq, has a very special role to play not only in terms of [the Middle East] and Iraq but also in terms of Britain’s relationship in the region,” Wilks stated.
Wilks noted that the UK encouraged the Iraqi government to complete initial agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) which would benefit all of Iraq in terms of stabilization and economy, adding that his country is pushing for a deal between Erbil and Baghdad before elections in May.
“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put forward a proposal for a fair budget for the Kurdish region in the Iraqi national budget,” Wilks said, revealing that the UK supports the IMF’s position and tries to use its influence in that regard.
The UK Ambassador said he believes the Kurds have had a very solid team in Baghdad in the past, stressing the importance of having a strong team once again after elections.
“The UK and many other countries will be supporting the rights, stability, security, and prosperity of the Kurdish region within Iraq in the years to come,” Wilks affirmed.
According to the ambassador, the UK’s relationship with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq includes education, culture, security, trade, and investment.
“The UK will continue to work with the Kurdistan Region’s authorities in terms of security cooperation, including the continuation of training and support for the Peshmerga forces who are a valuable ally in the fight against” the Islamic State (IS), he added.
Wilks explained that the UK is interested in infrastructure projects that will benefit the citizens of the Kurdistan Region, revealing that 140 British companies are investing in Iraq and Kurdistan while encouraging more businesses to work there in the service sectors.
“In recent years, the UK granted nearly 100 scholarships to young Kurds in the Region, and the program will continue,” he concluded.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany