Prime Minister Barzani and French Minister of State for Development discuss financial crisis

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Mr. André Vallini, French Minister of State for Development and Francophonie, attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, accompanied by a diplomatic delegation.

Mr. Vallini commended the role of the Kurdistan Region, its government and Peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS, protecting ethnic and religious minorities and accommodating a very large number of refugees and internally displaced persons, who fled the areas under ISIS control.

He reiterated his country’s support to the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Vallini pointed out that his government is looking at how to help the Kurdistan Region to overcome the current financial crisis which it goes through, as well as further strengthening bilateral relations in various fields.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Mr Vallini for his visit and presented his and Kurdistan Regional Government’s condolences and heartfelt sympathy to France and the families of the victims of Nice terrorist attack. He also expressed his government’s gratitude for France’s humanitarian and military support to the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani discussed the current situation in Kurdistan Region and the hard financial crisis which it goes through. He expressed his hope that to overcome this difficulty, France will offer its expertise and knowledge as an experienced country to the Region.

He stressed that it is a source of pride that the Peshmerga forces fight the most brutal terrorist organisation on behalf of the entire world, pointing out that his government did all what can be done to accommodate a large number of displaced people and refugees.

He said, however, this situation is unsustainable for the Kurdistan Region without further help from the international community enabling the government to provide further needed services to the displaced and refugees.

Prime Minister Barzani described the visit by French President, Mr. François Hollande in September of 2014 to the Kurdistan Region, as a strong indication of the French support to Kurdistan in its war against terrorism. It was at a time when ISIS had just started its attacks on various parts of Kurdistan Region,

He also praised the role of France at the G7 meeting, in supporting the Region economically within the framework of the loans to be allocated to Iraq.

The two sides also discussed the anticipated operation of liberation of Mosul and its aftermath, as well as Iraq’s and Kurdistan Region’s political and security situations.