Archive for month: July, 2016

Washington, DC, USA (us.gov.krd) – The United States Department of State hosted a meeting of representatives from 30 countries, the European Union, UNESCO, UNHCR, Organization for Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations to discuss ways that the international community can help protect the religious and ethnic diversity of regions that have been under control by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Delegates from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) participated as part of the Iraqi delegation, alongside representatives of the Yezidi, Assyrian and Turkman communities and the Iraqi Embassy on July 29.

During the opening remarks of the conference, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the assistance of the international community is part of “back-breaking, painstaking work of stabilization, reconciliation, and governance that will ensure that Daesh, once defeated, stays defeated.”

KRG Representative to the United States Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman and Amir Mawlud, KRG Director of Coexistence at the Ministry of Religious Endowment, represented the KRG at the meeting, which was titled ‘Threats to Religious and Ethnic Minorities under Da’esh’

The meeting was hosted by U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom David Saperstein and Special Advisor for Religious Minorities Knox Thames. Today’s meeting is a follow-up to the Paris conference in September 2015 where a plan of action was agreed upon. A follow-up to this conference will be hosted by the Spanish government in the coming months.

The previous day, Representative Abdul Rahman attended a meeting on the same topic with members of civil society institutions, hosted by the Religious Freedom Project at Georgetown University.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – In a statement, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani condemned the shooting yesterday in Munich, Germany, which killed a number of civilians and wounded others.

Prime Minister Barzani stated, “We, at the Kurdistan Regional Government strongly condemn this act, and convey the condolences of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region to the German people, government and the families of the victims of this heinous crime, wishing prompt recovery for the wounded.”

A gunman opened fire on people in a shopping centre in Munich, killing nine and injuring 16, most of whom were children.

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.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Regional Government condemned the terrorist attack in Nice, France, that killed dozens of civilians. 

In a statement Friday, the Council of Ministers expressed its solidarity with the people and leaderhip of France.

Below is the text of the statement:

We condemn, in strongest terms, the terrorist attack against cilivians in the southern city of Nice, as they gathered to celebrate French National Day.  Last night’s attack, one of a series of terror attacks against France in recent years, claimed the lives of dozens of innocent people.

Kurdistan Regional Government stands in solidarity with the people and leadership of France and the families of the victims, and they have our full support.

Nice terrorist attack is another reminder that the international community is facing a major challenge and responsibility to contain and eliminate terrorism. Terrorists commit heinous crimes anywhere and at anytime, if there is a chance to do so. Repeated terrorist attacks in France and other countries highlight the need to intensify international coordination and cooperation to swiftly defeat terrorism, and protect the world and humanity from the threat of terror.

Again, we stand in solidarity with the people and leadership of France and express our sympathy and condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.

Council of Ministers
Kurdistan Regional Government