Gazprom increases investment; publishes book, documentary on Kurds
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – In a meeting with Kurdish officials on Thursday, Gazprom Neft’s CEO expressed its support to the Kurdistan Region and revealed that it would expand activities in the Region.
On Thursday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegates, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, met Gazprom Neft’s CEO Alexander Dyukov in Saint Petersburg following the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
During the meeting, Dyukov stated that Gazprom would continue its oil investment in the Kurdistan Region. He added that the company would increase its activities in the Region, according to the KRG media office.
Barzani thanked Dyukov for continuing to invest in the Kurdistan Region in spite of the financial crisis due to the drop in oil prices internationally. The PM expressed the KRG’s backing to Gazprom to facilitate the company in improving the oil and energy sector in the Kurdistan Region.
In another part of the meeting, both sides discussed the current economic, finance, and trade situation in Kurdistan and Iraq.
Gazprom revealed the launch of a book about Kurds and Kurdistan titled The Kurds: The Knights of the East. The book is mainly about Kurdish history, movement and revolutions to achieve freedom and independence.
The publication highlights Kurdish aspects, including society, culture, literature and the continued fight against terrorism.
The book underlines the social, economic and political development throughout Kurds’ history until now. It also sheds light on the Kurdistan Region and Russia relations currently and in the past.
Moreover, Gazprom also screened a documentary film on the successes of Peshmerga forces in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).
The film showcases the bravery of Peshmerga in protecting the people of Kurdistan regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds. The documentary describes Peshmerga as heroes who defend the principles of humanity, peace and freedom.
PM Barzani praised the book and the documentary, stating that both show the support of Russia to Kurds and Kurdistan.
He also thanked Moscow for supporting Peshmerga, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kurdistan Region.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany