Kurdistan Region, Czech ties are ‘very positive,’ says envoy
Kortanek also stressed that the Czech government supports farming and sustainable environment initiatives.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Czech Republic consul general in Erbil, Karel Kortanek, on Wednesday at a ceremony celebrating the country's National Day told Kurdistan 24 “I am sure that the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Czechia is very positive and I am really glad for it.”
Kortanek also stressed that the Czech government supports farming and sustainable environment initiatives.
“Agriculture is a very significant sector for the cooperation between Czechia and Kurdistan Region,” he said and added, “We try to make some cooperation, for example, [in the] water industry and water management [sectors]."
“I will be very happy if the Kurdish pomegranates will be on the Czech markets," the envoy remarked.
The Czech Republic opened its diplomatic office in Erbil in May 2006, demonstrating a vote of confidence in the Kurdistan Region's official autonomy earlier than other European nations, and at a time when the Region was still embroiled in the Iraq War.
Earlier in October, a Czech opera company, in collaboration with the country’s Erbil consulate, performed in the city of Soran in northern Erbil province. Among the notable works performed were those of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonin Dvorak, and Bedrich Smetana.
On Sept. 29, 2021, at the ancient citadel of Erbil, a Kurdish-Czech concert, incorporating music elements from both cultures, was held to mark the 15th anniversary of the Czech Republic's representative office in Erbil
Read More: Kurdish people are very musical, says Czech opera company supervisor
Additional reporting conducted by Kurdistan 24 Erbil correspondent Nawras Abdulla