Security cooperation ‘core’ of growing relations with Kurdistan: French Ambassador

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The security cooperation with the Kurdistan Region is a ‘core’ component of growing bilateral ties, a French official said on Monday.

The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Masrour Barzani met with the French Ambassador to Iraq Marc Barety and French Consul General in Erbil Dominique Mas in Erbil on Monday.

During the meeting, they discussed the strong bilateral relations between the people of Kurdistan and France and the campaign against the Islamic State (IS), according to the KRSC media office.

They highlighted France’s contribution in 2014 which encouraged an international response to a call by the Kurdistan Region against a humanitarian crisis and IS.

Chancellor Barzani welcomed statements by French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirming France’s commitment to defeating the insurgent group.

“France demonstrated its commitment and friendship to the people of the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said.

He praised former French President Francois Hollande’s support to Peshmerga forces and his visit to the capital of the Region in late 2014 and January 2017.

The KRSC Chancellor called on France to continue its military support to Peshmerga forces.

Both officials also agreed on extensive security cooperation to combat threats against shared security interests.

In another part of the meeting, they discussed regional developments and political challenges after IS, including Erbil-Baghdad relations.

France is part of the US-led coalition and has largely contributed in supporting Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in the battle against the militant group.

The President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani repeatedly highlights Hollande’s visit to Kurdistan in late 2014 when IS was less than 40 kilometers away from Erbil.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany