Politics

Barzani gives Peshmerga trophy to US Defense Secretary in Munich

During the first day of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, President Masoud Barzani met with officials from around the world to discuss the war against the Islamic State (IS).

Sangar Ali 2017/02/18 07:49

kurdistan Kurdistan Munich Security Conference 2017 Masoud Masrour Barzani Jim Mattis Washington

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – During the first day of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, President Masoud Barzani met with officials from around the world including the US Secretary of Defense to discuss the war against the Islamic State (IS).

During the meeting with the President of the Kurdistan Region, the US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said he was familiar with the Kurdish cause, according to the press office of the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

The US Secretary of Defense added both Kurdistan and the US had made sacrifices side by side.

Mattis also reiterated the US’ support for the people of the Kurdistan Region in the battle against IS and said he hoped to visit Kurdistan in the future.

Moreover, President Barzani gave a trophy representing Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers to the US Secretary of Defense.

The trophy depicts two Peshmerga soldiers standing in front of a globe with their weapons drawn as a sign of Peshmerga defending the world from terrorism.

President Barzani congratulated Mattis for his post and hoped the bilateral relations between the Region and the US would continue to develop and improve in all aspects.

On Friday, the President also met with different world officials in Munich including the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian.

In the meeting, Nalbandian officially invited President Barzani to visit Armenia.

The Minister also mentioned Armenia intended to open its consulate in Erbil.

Moreover, the Kurdistan Region President met the Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif and discussed the current political and military situation in Iraq as well as fostering ties between Erbil and Tehran.

In another meeting, President Barzani met Beate Merk, the Bavarian Minister of State for European Affairs and Regional Relations.

Merk discussed her visit to the Kurdistan Region and praised the bravery of Kurdish Peshmerga forces in defeating IS.

Additionally, she emphasized the support of Bavaria and Germany to the Peshmerga and people of Kurdistan.

President Barzani is expected to meet with more world officials during the sideline of the Munich Security Conference.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany