Archive for year: 2017

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received German Ambassador to Iraq Cyril Nann and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting both sides shed light on the latest political, humanitarian and post-referendum developments and agreed that tension and aggressive statements will not help resolve the issues and that dialogue and negotiations are the best way to address issues between Erbil and Baghdad. They also discussed Erbil- Berlin relations and best ways to further promote them.

Mr. Barzani thanked the German people and government for their humanitarian and military support to the Kurdistan Region. He also stated the reasons that pushed the Kurdistan Region to hold the independence referendum last month and emphasized that experiences with Baghdad proved that pre-referendum relationship with Baghdad was not functioning and that a new kind of relationship should be adopted.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated KRG’s readiness to hold serious and unconditional dialogue with Baghdad and pointed out to the positive role the international community can play in the process.

Ambassador Nann said that Germany is following the developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with interest, stressing that his country is ready to help and support the dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad. He also praised the role of the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces in the fight against terror and commended the KRG and the people of Kurdistan for sheltering and helping a large number of internally displaced persons and refugees.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Iraq, Jan Kubis, and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, both sides discussed post-referendum developments, reactions and the sanctions that the Baghdad authorities imposed on the Kurdistan Region, that included banning international flights to and from both Erbil and Slemani International Airports.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated his government’s position which is resolving all the issues with Baghdad through dialogue and negotiations, pointing out to the important role the United Nations can play in this process. He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region is with de-escalating the tension with Baghdad and is against any step that may further exacerbates the situation.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister emphasized that the referendum did not constitute a threat against any country, because the Kurdistan Region has always been and will stay a factor of peace and stability in the region. He also stressed that the Kurdistan Region will stay committed to fight the terrorists of ISIS and supporting the IDPs and Refugees that the Kurdistan Region is hosting. He boasted that the protection of all ethnic and religious Components of the Kurdistan Region has always been and will stay part of the culture and policy of the KRG.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – The Kurdistan Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, yesterday announced the results of the Kurdistan independence referendum.

In a press conference, Hndren Muhammad, the head of the Commission, announced an overwhelming victory of Yes in the referendum and provided the following preliminary figures:

Eligible voters: 4,581,255.

Turnout: 3,305,925 voted in the referendum, which makes a turnout of 72.16 percent.

Yes votes: 2,861,471 people voted Yes, which represent 92.73 percent of the voters.

No votes: 224,468 people voted No, which represent 7.27 percent of the voters.

Votes cancelled: 170,611.
Invalid votes: 40,011.
Scratch votes: 9,368.

The citizens of Kurdistan Region and Kurdistan areas outside the Kurdistan Regional Government’s authority voted in the independence referendum on Monday, 25 September. Kurdistanis living abroad voted three days earlier.

Following the approval by the Court of Cassation, the above figures will become final results.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a French diplomatic delegation headed by ambassador Bruno Aubert, the ambassador of France to Iraq. During the meeting, President Barzani and ambassador Aubert spoke of a number of issues including the excellent bilateral relations between France and Kurdistan as well as the Kurdistan Independence Referendum.

President Barzani made reference to the importance of the relations between France and Kurdistan and how France has historically been supportive of the cause of the people of Kurdistan. The Kurdistan Region, President Barzani stated will eternally keep in its memory the assistance that has been provided historically by France.

Ambassador Aubert also said that the relations between France and Kurdistan are of great meaning to the people and government of France. He also added that the government of France is not, in any way against the right of the people of Kurdistan to cast their votes in the referendum for independence, however, he added that the government of France objects to the timing of the referendum.

President Barzani stated that the decision is no longer in the hands of any political leader, rather, it’s in the hands of the people of the Kurdistan Region whose rallies in the past months have clearly demonstrated their passion for an independent Kurdistan. The President added that the referendum has already started in the diaspora as hundreds of thousands of Kurds across the globe have already begun casting, or will start to cast their votes. On September 25, the President said, the people of Kurdistan will be engaged in a peaceful and democratic exercise where they will decide whether they want to remain part of Iraq or separate. The President also added that the referendum will not have any negative impact on the international effort against the terrorists of the Islamic State.