Archive for month: June, 2020

Baghdad, Iraq, June 21, 2020

During President Nechirvan Barzani’s meetings with Iraq’s President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and senior political leaders in Baghdad. President Nechirvan Barzani described the current issues facing Iraq as shared difficulties and mutual responsibilities for all Iraqis. The President stated: “We share the same fate, the problems of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are the problems of all Iraqis”.

President Barzani expressed the importance of moving forward from the difficult experiences of the past years, which were marked by deadlocks and disagreements between both sides. “It is time we come to a mutual understanding through an inclusive agreement which is accepted by both sides, and ensures stability, peace, and justice.We must resolve all differences once and for all”, he added.

The President described the current circumstances and challenges as: “crises that can be turned into opportunities for cooperation and confronting the hardships and issues facing the country”. He added that tackling these issues are mutual responsibilities of all parties and that the continuation of these issues is in the interest of no one. President Barzani emphasized that we can come to a mutual understanding through joint efforts and lead the country in a direction towards better services for all citizens.

President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region is willing to resolve all pending issues with the federal government on the basis of the constitution of Iraq and in accordance with the federal system, rights and duties. As well as, priority be given to finding solutions that improve the living conditions of all citizens. The President expressed his appreciation to the leaders and political parties of Iraq for supporting dialogue aimed at achieving mutual agreements. He described the support as an important duty of all political parties in the country.

In return, Iraq’s leaders and political parties viewed President Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to Baghdad as a positive indication and the right step taken by the Kurdistan Region vis-à-vis Baghdad. They also expressed appreciation to the Kurdistan region for its willingness to resolve pending issues and reach an agreement with the federal government.

On the second day of his visit to Baghdad, Sunday June 21st, President Nechirvan Barzani, accompanied by Kurdistan Region Vice Presidents, held separate meetings with Mr. Ammar Al- Hakeem, leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, Mr. Hadi Al-Amiri, Head of the Fatah Alliance, Mr. Nuri Al-Maliki, head of the State of the Law Coalition and members of the leadership of Al-Sadr Movement. President Nechirvan Barzani also met with Iraq’s Prime Minister, President, Parliament Speaker and the Special representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq.

The meetings focused on the relations between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government of Iraq and efforts to resolve the pending differences between both sides. The current state of affairs in the country, the newly formed federal government, the economic crisis and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed. The meetings also focused on the threats posed by the resurgence of ISIS terrorists and their recent movements and attacks, the importance of cooperation and coordination between Peshmerga and Iraqi army, the continuation of Global Coalition’s support, the role of the United Nations in Iraq, protecting the borders and sovereignty of Iraq, improving ties with neighboring countries and the international community based on mutual respect and interests.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a meeting via video conference on Monday on the state of Kurdistan Region’s customs, border crossings, and companies providing service.

In the meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and other ministers, the Prime Minister reaffirmed ongoing efforts to carry out financial reforms; organise trade, and review tax exemptions at all border crossings.

The meeting reviewed assessments from committees tasked with these areas as part of the reform agenda. The committee, headed by the Ministers of Interior and Finance, presented a detailed report on service contracts and challenges at the border crossings.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the cabinet’s priority to bring more certainty to the use of public wealth. He also noted the important role of the private sector and the need to promote local produce.

The meeting called for border crossings to be organised in accordance with international standards; stop illegal tax exemptions, and a review of all of service contracts.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday chaired a meeting with the government’s high-level committee on the coronavirus outbreak via video conference.

In the meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, the Minister of Health presented a detailed report on the increasing number of infections and fatalities in the Kurdistan Region due to a recent surge in Covid_19 cases. The Minister of Interior then presented a report on government measures to enforce compliance with the government’s health advice.

Following an exchange of views on how to curb the spread of the disease, the government’s committee on coronavirus made the following decisions:

First: The government’s public health guidance will continue, including quarantine and delivering services to the infected, contacts and tourists. The campaign to spread awareness on the disease and health advice will intensify too.

Second: The committee also decided to make wearing a mask mandatory in public places and institutions. There will be a supply of masks at government institutions for people visiting these places. Violators will be held accountable to the law.

Third: The government will allocate an additional 5 billion Iraqi dinars to fight the pandemic. Health institutions in all provinces and counties can benefit from these funds.

Fourth: The government will facilitate the production of masks and other equipment to ensure high quality and affordable pricing.

Fifth: The Ministry of Health is permitted to expand laboratory services and set necessary mechanisms to diagnose and identify virus patients Ministry teams will continue contact tracing and tracking suspect cases.

Sixth: The Ministries of Health and Interior along with the Department of Foreign Relations were assigned to contact and visit relevant departments in the Iraqi government and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as well as consulates and international organisations to seek assistance for the fight against the virus.

Seventh: The travel ban between provinces in the Kurdistan Region and between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi cities will continue, and measures to protect from the virus will toughen amid a recent surge in infections. The Ministries of Peshmerga Affairs and Interior were also assigned to schedule reporting to duty hours in a way to minimise travel and contact, especially for those who commute from other cities to work. The same will apply to employees of other departments, who have to commute to work.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, June 2, 2020

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller on Tuesday.

The latest developments in Iraq, the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences, the recent ISIS movements and its terror threats were discussed at the meeting. The meeting was also attended by the U.S. Consul General in Erbil, Steven Fagin.

The two sides also discussed the ongoing efforts to fill the vacant ministerial posts in the newly formed cabinet of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi since taking office in May. The upcoming Iraq-U.S. strategic dialogue on bilateral relations, which is set to take place next month, was also highlighted.

President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the support of the Kurdistan Region for Mr. Kadhimi’s government. The president also expressed the importance to fill the vacant ministerial posts in the nearest future and the new cabinets vital role to take decisive actions in addressing the economic, political and security challenges and containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both sides stressed the importance of the Iraq-U.S. strategic dialogue, which will serve as a roadmap for the future bilateral ties between the two countries. It was underlined that Iraq needs to specify its interests and priorities.

The support from the U.S. to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to overcome the current difficulties was also highlighted as well as the continued support from the global coalition in the fight against terrorism.

They also discussed the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region, the importance of cooperation among all political parties to overcome the current situation and the role of the Kurdistan Region Presidency in this regard. The importance of encouraging the private sector in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were also highlighted in the meeting.