Kurdistan Region President meets EU envoys to Erbil
"Erbil-Baghdad dialogue, relations with neighbors, political and economic developments, reforms, security issues and ties w/ EU, were discussed."
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechrivan Barzani, met on Wednesday with Erbil-based diplomats from European Union (EU) countries to discuss the latest developments in Iraq, according to a press release from the president's office.
Thank you to @IKRPresident Nechirvan Barzani for hosting a productive discussion w/ EU members states’ diplomats based in Kurdistan. Erbil-Baghdad dialogue, relations with neighbors, political and economic developments, reforms, security issues and ties w/ EU, were discussed. pic.twitter.com/okMuiyOyyi
— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) September 16, 2020
Also among the attendees were the autonomous region's two vice presidents and the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations. It discussed Baghdad-Erbil relations, KRG's ties with regional countries, the economic and health crises the region faces following the coronavirus pandemic, the statement said.
The President reiterated his "appreciation" for the EU member nations' aid to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against the so-called Islamic State as part of the US-led Coalition against the terror group.
Barzani also commended the EU countries for their humanitarian relief efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons currently residing in the Kurdistan Region and medical assistance for the region's health workers in the fight against COVID-19.
Barzani reaffirmed Kurdistan Region's support for the current Iraqi government, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. He also expressed the region's "willingness" to resolve all the outstanding issues with the federal government of Iraq in a "manner that protects the Kurdistan Region's constitutional rights and entitlements."
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The EU diplomats, from their end, inquired about President Barzani's latest visits to Baghdad and Ankara, and the US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue—of which Erbil was a part—, the statement noted.
Related Article: The US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue: Good news for the Kurdistan Region
As EU Member States Missions present in Kurdistan Region we had an excellent meeting with HE Nechirvan Barzani, President of Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/fwkZ22drKY
— Hans Akerboom (@jtmakerboom) September 16, 2020
Following the meeting, the Dutch Consul General in Erbil Hans Akerboom described it as "excellent."
The EU diplomats reiterated that their countries "greatly value" their relations with the Kurdistan Region.
Editing by Khrush Najari
