پەرلەمانی کوردستان
2020-07-17T13:19:54.000000Z
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 17, 2020
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Erbil on Friday.
At the meeting, also attended by Kurdistan Region Vice Presidents, France’s Ambassador to Iraq and France’s Consul General in Erbil, the newly formed government of Iraq and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad were discussed, as well as the continuation of talks between both sides aimed at finding solutions to pending issues in accordance to the constitution of Iraq.
President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized that resolving the disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the government of Iraq is key to the political stability of Iraq. On his part, Foreign Minister Le Drian reiterated France’s support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in their efforts to settle differences.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, particularly on the economy, and the containment efforts in Kurdistan Region were also discussed. The number of the confirmed COVID-19 cases, the recoveries and the number of those who lost their lives to the pandemic were also highlighted during the meeting. Mr. Le Drian expressed his country’s willingness to assist Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in confronting the pandemic.
The two sides also shed light on the latest development in the fight against terror and stressed the need for the continued support of the international coalition to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the importance of coordination between the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army in confronting terror groups. Foreign Minister Le Drian reiterated France’s continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the war against terrorism. Both sides emphasized on further strengthening bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and France at all levels.
The conditions of the refugees and the internally displaced and the peaceful coexistence among all ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region were also highlighted at the meeting. The President and the French Foreign Minister also spoke about Iraq and Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring countries and the latest developments in the wider region.
At a press conference following the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani expressed delight at receiving Foreign Minister Le Drian in Erbil and described his visit as important and an indication of France’s commitment to supporting the Kurdistan Region at a time when Iraq and Kurdistan are struggling with COVID-19 pandemic and its implications.
On behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region, the President thanked France and elaborated that it continuously supported Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and ended the embargo on the Kurdistan Region in 2017, following the independence referendum, and helped restart of talks between Erbil and Baghdad. The President also expressed gratitude for the highly appreciated and unforgettable role that President Immanuel Macron played in this regard.
The President stated that in the war against ISIS, France played a crucial role as a member of the international coalition and an ally of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, stressing that France and the global coalition’s support are still needed. President Nechirvan Barzani also stated that France provided humanitarian support to the refugees and the internally displaced in the Kurdistan Region, particularly to Yazidis and Christians residing in the camps hosted by Kurdistan or by granting them asylum in France. The President added that France attaches great importance to the stability of the Middle East and Iraq.
President Nechirvan Barzani praised France’s Foreign Minister as a friend of Kurdistan who has played a vital role in strengthening the ties between Kurdistan Region and France in the present and also in the past. He added, during Mr. Le Drian time as France’s Defense Minister, he visited the Kurdistan Region and the frontlines of the battle against ISIS terrorists. The President also thanked France’s Ambassador to Iraq and the Council General in Erbil who have continuously worked to further strengthen France’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
President Nechirvan Barzani concluded that the Kurdistan Region is willing to further advance political, economic, security, academic and cultural ties with France and stressed that French companies are welcome to work and invest in the Kurdistan Region.
On his part, Mr. Le Drian said: “I am happy to be here again with President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil. This is my eighth visit to the Kurdistan Region, as you mentioned, I came here four times as the Minister of Defense in very harsh circumstances, and this is my fourth time here as Foreign Minister”.
Mr. Le Drian added: “This is my first visit to the Middle East since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. And since France has always been willing to stand with the people of the Kurdistan Region, I wanted to visit while Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are going through very difficult times to show my sympathy and support, especially in the face of the corona outbreak, which has gripped both our countries. This is why in the coming days we will donate medical supplies to the Kurdistan Regional Government to help its medical personnel confront Coronavirus.”
Mr. Le Drian also stated that the purpose of his visit is to show support to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS, who created difficult times and sadness for both sides. It is our duty as Iraqis, French and Kurdistanis to cooperate in this regard and stay alert. He added that his visit is also a show of support and sympathy to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as they pass through regional and economic difficulties. He also thanked and expressed appreciation to the Kurdistan Region for supporting and hosting Syrian refugees and Iraq’s Internally displaced.
Mr. Le Drian said: “Previously on my last visit in October 2019, I promised to raise millions of Euros in support of Iraqi displaced and refugees. We completed several educational, health and water projects in Bardarash camp, and we will also support Halabja Hospital. France will continue to support you and in the future we and Germany will implement an important water and sanitation project in Dohuk Governorate at the cost of 15 million Euros”.
The French Foreign Minister further added that the French Development Agency is closely working with the American University in Slemani to create job opportunities for the youth in Kurdistan Region. He also pointed out that French companies will continue to operate in the Kurdistan Region.
“This year, a Kurdish student whose father was killed by ISIS has finished his Bachelor Degree in France and will continue his studies with a scholarship provided by the French government. It’s true that this is the first student, but it will not be the last, as this process will continue. The student studied in French schools in Erbil and Slemani and was sent to France within the framework of cooperation between French and Kurdistan Region Universities”, Mr. Le Drian concluded.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Erbil on Friday.
At the meeting, also attended by Kurdistan Region Vice Presidents, France’s Ambassador to Iraq and France’s Consul General in Erbil, the newly formed government of Iraq and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad were discussed, as well as the continuation of talks between both sides aimed at finding solutions to pending issues in accordance to the constitution of Iraq.
President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized that resolving the disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the government of Iraq is key to the political stability of Iraq. On his part, Foreign Minister Le Drian reiterated France’s support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in their efforts to settle differences.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, particularly on the economy, and the containment efforts in Kurdistan Region were also discussed. The number of the confirmed COVID-19 cases, the recoveries and the number of those who lost their lives to the pandemic were also highlighted during the meeting. Mr. Le Drian expressed his country’s willingness to assist Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in confronting the pandemic.
The two sides also shed light on the latest development in the fight against terror and stressed the need for the continued support of the international coalition to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the importance of coordination between the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army in confronting terror groups. Foreign Minister Le Drian reiterated France’s continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the war against terrorism. Both sides emphasized on further strengthening bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and France at all levels.
The conditions of the refugees and the internally displaced and the peaceful coexistence among all ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region were also highlighted at the meeting. The President and the French Foreign Minister also spoke about Iraq and Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring countries and the latest developments in the wider region.
At a press conference following the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani expressed delight at receiving Foreign Minister Le Drian in Erbil and described his visit as important and an indication of France’s commitment to supporting the Kurdistan Region at a time when Iraq and Kurdistan are struggling with COVID-19 pandemic and its implications.
On behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region, the President thanked France and elaborated that it continuously supported Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and ended the embargo on the Kurdistan Region in 2017, following the independence referendum, and helped restart of talks between Erbil and Baghdad. The President also expressed gratitude for the highly appreciated and unforgettable role that President Immanuel Macron played in this regard.
The President stated that in the war against ISIS, France played a crucial role as a member of the international coalition and an ally of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, stressing that France and the global coalition’s support are still needed. President Nechirvan Barzani also stated that France provided humanitarian support to the refugees and the internally displaced in the Kurdistan Region, particularly to Yazidis and Christians residing in the camps hosted by Kurdistan or by granting them asylum in France. The President added that France attaches great importance to the stability of the Middle East and Iraq.
President Nechirvan Barzani praised France’s Foreign Minister as a friend of Kurdistan who has played a vital role in strengthening the ties between Kurdistan Region and France in the present and also in the past. He added, during Mr. Le Drian time as France’s Defense Minister, he visited the Kurdistan Region and the frontlines of the battle against ISIS terrorists. The President also thanked France’s Ambassador to Iraq and the Council General in Erbil who have continuously worked to further strengthen France’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
President Nechirvan Barzani concluded that the Kurdistan Region is willing to further advance political, economic, security, academic and cultural ties with France and stressed that French companies are welcome to work and invest in the Kurdistan Region.
On his part, Mr. Le Drian said: “I am happy to be here again with President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil. This is my eighth visit to the Kurdistan Region, as you mentioned, I came here four times as the Minister of Defense in very harsh circumstances, and this is my fourth time here as Foreign Minister”.
Mr. Le Drian added: “This is my first visit to the Middle East since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. And since France has always been willing to stand with the people of the Kurdistan Region, I wanted to visit while Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are going through very difficult times to show my sympathy and support, especially in the face of the corona outbreak, which has gripped both our countries. This is why in the coming days we will donate medical supplies to the Kurdistan Regional Government to help its medical personnel confront Coronavirus.”
Mr. Le Drian also stated that the purpose of his visit is to show support to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS, who created difficult times and sadness for both sides. It is our duty as Iraqis, French and Kurdistanis to cooperate in this regard and stay alert. He added that his visit is also a show of support and sympathy to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as they pass through regional and economic difficulties. He also thanked and expressed appreciation to the Kurdistan Region for supporting and hosting Syrian refugees and Iraq’s Internally displaced.
Mr. Le Drian said: “Previously on my last visit in October 2019, I promised to raise millions of Euros in support of Iraqi displaced and refugees. We completed several educational, health and water projects in Bardarash camp, and we will also support Halabja Hospital. France will continue to support you and in the future we and Germany will implement an important water and sanitation project in Dohuk Governorate at the cost of 15 million Euros”.
The French Foreign Minister further added that the French Development Agency is closely working with the American University in Slemani to create job opportunities for the youth in Kurdistan Region. He also pointed out that French companies will continue to operate in the Kurdistan Region.
“This year, a Kurdish student whose father was killed by ISIS has finished his Bachelor Degree in France and will continue his studies with a scholarship provided by the French government. It’s true that this is the first student, but it will not be the last, as this process will continue. The student studied in French schools in Erbil and Slemani and was sent to France within the framework of cooperation between French and Kurdistan Region Universities”, Mr. Le Drian concluded.
