پەرلەمانی کوردستان
2019-07-06T16:52:07.000000Z
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, 6 July 2019 - President Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Region praised members of the 8th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government for their dedication and team spirit during their tenure, as the Region faced multiple crises.
In his remarks during a farewell event, the President Barzani applauded public employees for their dedication to serve their country during challenging times. President Barzani also reiterated his support for the incoming Prime Minister and his new cabinet.
Below is the text of the speech:
Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Mr. Qubad Talabani.
Distinguished ministers, the staff of the Council of Ministers, advisors, ladies and gentlemen
I welcome you all..
Ahead of the formation of the new cabinet, we heard today that Mr. Qubad Talabani has been nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to remain in his position as Deputy Prime Minister. I would like to congratulate him and those nominated from other parties for the ministerial positions in the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Today, I would like to say a few words regarding the eighth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government. We got off to a good start and began to work together as a team. We all strived to make things better in every field to take the Kurdistan Region forward. Unfortunately, we were not so lucky, as crises began to arise in the form of cutting the budget of the Kurdistan Regional Government by Baghdad with the excuse that we started exporting oil, followed by the influx of nearly two million refugees to the Kurdistan Region, the slump in oil price and the surge of ISIS.
Our southern border stretches up to 1100 km. Instead of sharing that with Iraq, it was all with ISIS. Kurdistan faced a very difficult situation, for the first time since 1990s. The reasons that enabled us to overcome all the challenges include, the determination of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region and our teamwork.
I would like to acknowledge the role of my brother Mr. Qubad Talabani as the Deputy Prime Minister for all the work he did during that time. Also, I would like to thank the team of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, as they all stayed and they shouldered the burden of the challenges, and because of that we are now able to be here as we will witness the formation of another cabinet. But, if it weren’t for our unity and indivisible stance, we would not have prevailed.
Mr. Qubad performed like a true statesman. I know that he faced huge pressuree from various fronts. However, we have worked together as brothers and colleagues, and he tried his best to institutionalize the Kurdistan Region. He attempted to carry out reforms while he was facing pressure. I understand that it was a new phase and not easy, yet he had an important role in carrying out the reforms, and transparency in oil and gas, biometric registration project and the reforms in the Ministry of Finance. He has certainly made an important impact, and I hope him every success in his work with the Prime Minister. I hope that both of them work to build a better future for the Kurdistan Region and its citizens.
I still remember the meetings that we held in this same building when the Kurdistan Region was facing crises. Personally, for me and for Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, the hardest decision we made in our political career was the initiation of the salary-saving system.
I would like to remind you that it was due to the understanding and patience of fellow citizens on the government’s payroll that we surpassed that difficult situation. If it was not for that understanding, it would have been impossible for us to pass that stage. There were issues here and there; however, we were able to prevail, as salaries have been paid in full for a few months now, and we hope that such austerity measures are not put in place in the future.
I would like to thank those parties who worked with us as one team. Some of them later withdrew from the team. Nevertheless, I still would like to sincerely thank those who initially started with us and those who stayed in the Kurdistan Regional Government. Our political will brought us here. I also like to acknowledge the role of Finance Minister Mr. Rebaz Hamlan, as he carried out outstanding work and services after his return to the Ministry.
I would like to commend those ministers who had to run multiple ministries as acting ministers. They had to manage the affairs of their own ministry and another ministry. The situation was not ideal, and I don’t want to get into details here, because some had political agenda to dismantle the government, so they invented many names such as National Salvation Government or Caretaker Government.
If we go back in time, the past four to five years have been very difficult for all of us. But let’s not forget that we were able to work together and surpass the crises successfully. Gladly, we have overcame those crises, as we anticipate a brighter future for our country and for the relations between us and Baghdad. We believe, this is a new stage as the Kurdistan Region reiterates its desire to resolve outstanding issues with Baghdad in accordance with Iraqi Constitution.
The issues of Kurds in Iraq have not surfaced after 2003, but the problems have existed way before then. It is important that Baghdad must be aware that the Kurdistan Region is a federal region according the Iraqi Constitution; therefore, it should deal with the Kurdistan Region as such. If we arrive at a mutual understanding, I believe such issues between us and Baghdad will be resolved.
I would like to remember and honor our loved ones whom paid the ultimate price in defending Kurdistan. We pay tribute to them and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We thank security and law enforcement agencies, Asayish, emergency crews who worked hard and didn’t allow Kurdistan to be crippled in those days. Each one of them stayed and performed their duties. I wholeheartedly thank the teachers who did not allow the education process to be halted and they continued educating our people and children.
If we look back at those days, we see that we are entering a new era. We are heading into a brighter future. As Prime Minister, I had unwavering faith in working with you. We all achieved everything together, it is not one person’s work, neither is only mine, nor is only Mr. Qubad’s. We all worked together and managed to achieve our goals.
God willing, the new cabinet will be assuming its work within days. I would like to reiterate as the President of the Kurdistan Region my total support for the new Prime Minister. I am certain that the prime minister can manage this challenging duty. I am certain that Mr. Qubad with his team and those parties participating in the government can carry out their duties and those in opposition can play a positive role in developing the Kurdistan Region’s democracy and its institutions.
Thanks you.
In his remarks during a farewell event, the President Barzani applauded public employees for their dedication to serve their country during challenging times. President Barzani also reiterated his support for the incoming Prime Minister and his new cabinet.
Below is the text of the speech:
Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Mr. Qubad Talabani.
Distinguished ministers, the staff of the Council of Ministers, advisors, ladies and gentlemen
I welcome you all..
Ahead of the formation of the new cabinet, we heard today that Mr. Qubad Talabani has been nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to remain in his position as Deputy Prime Minister. I would like to congratulate him and those nominated from other parties for the ministerial positions in the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Today, I would like to say a few words regarding the eighth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government. We got off to a good start and began to work together as a team. We all strived to make things better in every field to take the Kurdistan Region forward. Unfortunately, we were not so lucky, as crises began to arise in the form of cutting the budget of the Kurdistan Regional Government by Baghdad with the excuse that we started exporting oil, followed by the influx of nearly two million refugees to the Kurdistan Region, the slump in oil price and the surge of ISIS.
Our southern border stretches up to 1100 km. Instead of sharing that with Iraq, it was all with ISIS. Kurdistan faced a very difficult situation, for the first time since 1990s. The reasons that enabled us to overcome all the challenges include, the determination of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region and our teamwork.
I would like to acknowledge the role of my brother Mr. Qubad Talabani as the Deputy Prime Minister for all the work he did during that time. Also, I would like to thank the team of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, as they all stayed and they shouldered the burden of the challenges, and because of that we are now able to be here as we will witness the formation of another cabinet. But, if it weren’t for our unity and indivisible stance, we would not have prevailed.
Mr. Qubad performed like a true statesman. I know that he faced huge pressuree from various fronts. However, we have worked together as brothers and colleagues, and he tried his best to institutionalize the Kurdistan Region. He attempted to carry out reforms while he was facing pressure. I understand that it was a new phase and not easy, yet he had an important role in carrying out the reforms, and transparency in oil and gas, biometric registration project and the reforms in the Ministry of Finance. He has certainly made an important impact, and I hope him every success in his work with the Prime Minister. I hope that both of them work to build a better future for the Kurdistan Region and its citizens.
I still remember the meetings that we held in this same building when the Kurdistan Region was facing crises. Personally, for me and for Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, the hardest decision we made in our political career was the initiation of the salary-saving system.
I would like to remind you that it was due to the understanding and patience of fellow citizens on the government’s payroll that we surpassed that difficult situation. If it was not for that understanding, it would have been impossible for us to pass that stage. There were issues here and there; however, we were able to prevail, as salaries have been paid in full for a few months now, and we hope that such austerity measures are not put in place in the future.
I would like to thank those parties who worked with us as one team. Some of them later withdrew from the team. Nevertheless, I still would like to sincerely thank those who initially started with us and those who stayed in the Kurdistan Regional Government. Our political will brought us here. I also like to acknowledge the role of Finance Minister Mr. Rebaz Hamlan, as he carried out outstanding work and services after his return to the Ministry.
I would like to commend those ministers who had to run multiple ministries as acting ministers. They had to manage the affairs of their own ministry and another ministry. The situation was not ideal, and I don’t want to get into details here, because some had political agenda to dismantle the government, so they invented many names such as National Salvation Government or Caretaker Government.
If we go back in time, the past four to five years have been very difficult for all of us. But let’s not forget that we were able to work together and surpass the crises successfully. Gladly, we have overcame those crises, as we anticipate a brighter future for our country and for the relations between us and Baghdad. We believe, this is a new stage as the Kurdistan Region reiterates its desire to resolve outstanding issues with Baghdad in accordance with Iraqi Constitution.
The issues of Kurds in Iraq have not surfaced after 2003, but the problems have existed way before then. It is important that Baghdad must be aware that the Kurdistan Region is a federal region according the Iraqi Constitution; therefore, it should deal with the Kurdistan Region as such. If we arrive at a mutual understanding, I believe such issues between us and Baghdad will be resolved.
I would like to remember and honor our loved ones whom paid the ultimate price in defending Kurdistan. We pay tribute to them and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We thank security and law enforcement agencies, Asayish, emergency crews who worked hard and didn’t allow Kurdistan to be crippled in those days. Each one of them stayed and performed their duties. I wholeheartedly thank the teachers who did not allow the education process to be halted and they continued educating our people and children.
If we look back at those days, we see that we are entering a new era. We are heading into a brighter future. As Prime Minister, I had unwavering faith in working with you. We all achieved everything together, it is not one person’s work, neither is only mine, nor is only Mr. Qubad’s. We all worked together and managed to achieve our goals.
God willing, the new cabinet will be assuming its work within days. I would like to reiterate as the President of the Kurdistan Region my total support for the new Prime Minister. I am certain that the prime minister can manage this challenging duty. I am certain that Mr. Qubad with his team and those parties participating in the government can carry out their duties and those in opposition can play a positive role in developing the Kurdistan Region’s democracy and its institutions.
Thanks you.
