EU Envoy: Kurdistan Region Is a ‘Very Good Partner’ for EU Initiatives

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – European Union Ambassador to Iraq Klemens Semtner has described the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as a “very good partner” for EU initiatives, praising cooperation between the two sides and highlighting the Region’s role in projects focused on employment, economic development and other areas.

In an interview with Kurdistan24 released Thursday, Semtner said the EU has implemented numerous projects in the Kurdistan Region and works closely with the KRG and other local institutions.

“We see the KRG as a very good partner in implementing many of these initiatives,” Semtner said.

Semtner also highlighted the EU’s opposition to attacks targeting senior officials in the Kurdistan Region, saying the bloc had strongly condemned previous attempts to attack the residences of the Kurdistan Region president and prime minister.

EU calls for diplomatic solution to regional conflict

Addressing the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Semtner said Iraq has been among the countries most affected by the fighting.

He said the EU has engaged with Iraq, Gulf states and other countries in the region from the beginning of the conflict to promote diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.

The ambassador stressed that the EU is not a party to the war and has called on Iran not to attack countries in the region that are not involved in the conflict. He also said Europe remains committed to diplomatic solutions and has continued to support efforts related to the Iran nuclear issue.

Semtner: ISIS remains a threat

Semtner said ISIS has been territorially defeated but remains a threat, particularly amid developments in Syria that could create opportunities for the group to reconstitute.

He praised the role of Iraqi security forces in combating and investigating ISIS, while warning that the group’s ideology remains difficult to eradicate completely.

EU envoy backs federalism in Iraq

On Iraq’s federal system, Semtner said the constitution allows for a federal structure and that the Kurdistan Region is currently the only region to have implemented it.

He described the Kurdistan Region’s experience as an argument in favor of federalism, while acknowledging unresolved issues between Erbil and Baghdad. He added that having several federal regions could be a “healthy development” for Iraq.

However, he said resolving disputes between Erbil and Baghdad requires mutual trust in addition to implementing existing laws.

EU supports economic diversification

Semtner also highlighted Iraq’s dependence on oil and gas, saying the country needs to diversify its economy, strengthen the private sector and develop a more resilient banking system.

He said Iraq currently spends about 60 percent of its budget on salaries and pensions, describing the situation as unsustainable and calling for greater private-sector employment.