Archive for year: 2019

On the occasion of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, I extend my warmest congratulations to our Christian sisters and brothers in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and to all those who celebrate this holiday. I wish them a peaceful and prosperous holiday and hope that this festivity will bring about peace, stability and prosperity, for everyone.

On this sacred occasion, we reiterate that the Kurdistan Region as always remains the cradle of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and stability for all communities, as it will continue unabated towards peace, serenity and stability in the region.

The Christians in Kurdistan Region are the benefactors and an ancient community who have coexisted with other communities in harmony and peace and played a role in protecting and developing the Kurdistan Region. Their festivities and occasions are also celebrated by all communities in Kurdistan Region.

Merry Christmas to all.

Nechirvan Barzani

Kurdistan Region President
24-12-2019

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday met an Italian delegation headed by Defence Minister, Lorenzo Guerini.

Recognizing the extensive support of the Italian government to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against the Islamic State, Prime Minister Barzani updated Minister Guerini on the latest developments and threats to the security of Iraq and the Middle East.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Minister Guerini for his country’s recognition of the sacrifice made by Peshmerga forces. He emphasised the Kurdistan Regional Government’s commitment to cooperating with all partners, including the Iraqi federal government, in fighting the threat of terrorism.

The Italian Minister affirmed his country, as a key member of the Global Coalition against ISIS, will continue to support the Peshmerga and the KRG in protecting the people of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Italy plans to renew its mission in Iraq, which Prime Minister Barzani asserted was critical to sustaining efforts to combat the re-emergence of ISIS and other armed groups. He also expressed the KRG’s desire to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

We have made a strong start in a short time – but there is much more to be done. People are still unemployed and government still isn’t as efficient as it needs to be to realize our vision.

Our goal is to build a strong Kurdistan. Secure, stable, prosperous. At peace with its neighbors. A reliable ally within the international community.

My ambition is for us to realize that goal – that dream – as a people. And to realize it together.

In recent years our people have suffered – you have proven your courage and you have proven your willingness to endure hardship in the pursuit of a just cause.

You deserve a government that works together – and we are working across parties and ministries to respond to your needs.

You deserve a government that serves you – and that is what we are doing.

Ankara, Turkey (GOV.KRD) – In his first official visit since taking office in July, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

Throughout the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that the Kurdistan Region remains a force for peace and stability in the region and emphasised that the Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to promote tolerance and constructive dialogue with its neighbours.

Prime Minister Barzani and President Erdogan discussed the strong relationship between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region and their shared commitment in hosting millions of refugees, who are still hoping to return home to a brighter future.

Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to security and stressed that efforts were being made to ensure that the Kurdistan Region is not used to stage attacks or threaten the livelihoods of civilians.

During his visit, Prime Minister Barzani also met with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to discuss how they can further expand economic opportunities between Erbil and Ankara. Strengthening bilateral relations and trade with Turkey continues to be a priority of the new KRG.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the fruitful discussions in Ankara, which said would promote peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Barzani highlighted that the discussions in Turkey, as well as the ongoing and constructive dialogue with federal government of Iraq, are an example of the KRG’s commitment to peace and stability, to the benefit of all Kurdistani peoples.

Today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and reaffirm our political will for ongoing support and work for the establishment of social justice and gender equality in the Kurdistan Region.

Since 2007, the Kurdistan Region has been actively involved in the 16-days campaign, which has brought together diverse government and non-governmental bodies to intensify their actions towards combatting violence against women. Despite many challenges, especially after the emergence of ISIS and their attack on the Nineveh plain which led to the genocide of the Yezidis with a serious humanitarian crisis, KR has proactively managed the situation.

There is no doubt that conflict and war trouble our social order, hinder the implementation of reforms and policies, and engender multiple forms of violence with women being the main victims. This is why, today, we reiterate our support and cooperation with government, civil society groups, faith leaders, UN agencies and national as well as international organizations to combat all forms of gender-based violence in the Kurdistan Region.

At the Presidential Office, we have prepared a roadmap in the form of a Strategic Vision for the empowerment of women, development of their social, economic and political status along with protection of their rights. To achieve our objectives within the strategic Vision, we aim to provide support and cooperate with executive bodies and all relevant institutions and organizations.

As the Kurdistan Regional Government launches its 16-days campaign today, we would like to call on all citizens, civil servants and civil society groups to participate in these activities to eliminate of all forms of gender-related violence in the Kurdistan Region.

I wish you a successful campaign.

Nechirvan Barzani
President of Kurdistan Region of Iraq
25 November 2019