Arab countries maintain ‘distinguished relations’ with Kurdistan Region: UAE diplomat

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The top envoy from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Kurdistan Region said on Tuesday that Arab nations that have diplomatic representation in Erbil maintain “distinguished relations” with the autonomous region of Iraq.    

The remarks of UAE Consul General to the Kurdistan Region Ahmed al-Dhahry came during a charitable event in the regional capital in which essential supplies were donated to internally displaced persons (IDPs) being provided shelter by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

He said that his fellow Arab nations in Erbil “maintain distinguished relations with Kurdistan Region’s leaders,” and indicated widespread “strengthening of relations with our countries.” 

On Monday, diplomats from several Arab nations convened with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, including those from Kuwait, Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan.

“The delegation praised the historical friendship between Barzani and the [Kurdistan] Region, and the peoples of the Arab countries, as well as the role of Kurdistan in hosting displaced Iraqi people during the war on ISIS,” read a statement from Barzani’s office.

Read More: Senior Kurdish leader talks strengthening ties with Arab nations in meeting with diplomats

According to the statement, the diplomats reiterated their position to maintain cooperation with the “Kurdistan Region and its leadership as well as their keenness to stabilize and support Iraq,” the Gulf country diplomat told Kurdistan 24.

UAE is one of the oil-rich Gulf countries that has a diplomatic presence in the Kurdistan Region with a focus on providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees and IDPs hosted in the Region.

Editing by John J. Catherine