Kurdistan's diplomatic relations

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They discussed Iraqi constant obstacles on Kurdistan as well the situation in Syria and Kurdish rights after fall of Assad.

http://rudaw.net/kurdish/index.php/news/16888.html

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John Mccain, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, and Kak Masoud walking together!

What is on the way?

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John Mccain, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, and Kak Masoud walking together!

What is on the way?

a big future for the kurdish nation

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ERBIL, Sept.8 (KRG.org)- A delegation from the Kurdistan Region left for Washington yesterday to hold a number of meetings with the US departments of state and defense.

The delegation comprises Falah Mustafa, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s Chief of Foreign Relations and Fuad Hussein Kurdistan Presidential Office’s Chief of Staff.

In the one-week visit to Washington the delegation will also meet with the Kurdish diaspora.

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Iraq's Disputes Can be Solved by Adherence to Constitution, Kurdish PM Tells Visiting US Senators



ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In a meeting with a delegation of U.S. senators who visited Erbil last week, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said that adherence to the constitution is “the only way to resolve Iraq’s political disputes.”

Republication senator John McCain, senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and senator Lindsey Graham arrived in Erbil on Wednesday to meet with Kurdistan Region’s top officials.

“The Kurdish government has always acted based on its firm belief in Iraq’s constitution,” PM Barzani told the delegation.

In the past several months Baghdad and Erbil have been grappling with major disputes over budget issues, the autonomous region’s oil and gas sector and Prime Minister Nuri Maliki’s policies, which some Kurdish leaders call dictatorial.

In a situation as Iraq’s, said Barzani, it is normal to see problems and disputes emerge, “but the important thing is to have the will to resolve the issues through dialogue and based on the constitution so that stability returns to Iraq,”

Earlier this month, Falah Mustafa, Kurdistan Region’s Foreign Relations Minister told krg.org that Erbil has always showed the will to solve its disputes with Baghdad.

“Several times, we in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have shown our willingness and flexibility to reach compromises in order to solve the issues with Baghdad and to help ensure a secure, stable and prosperous Iraq,” Minister Mustafa told krg.org. “But leaders in Baghdad continuously avoid trying to find solutions, choosing instead to distort the nature of the problems and portray them in a different light.”

One year after the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, the U.S. is closely watching Iraq’s political situation and U.S. President Barak Obama has urged Iraqi leaders to solve their disagreement through dialogue.

During their visit, the U.S. senators discussed the situation in neighboring Syria with Kurdish leaders.

PM Barzani told the delegation that the KRG monitors the developments in Syria and reiterated that the Syrian people should be able to “decide their own future.”

“Any change in Syria must be democratic,” PM Barzani said. “One in which in all Syrians, particularly the Kurdish people, will enjoy their rights,”

On their part, the visiting senators expressed their support for stronger relations with the Kurdistan Region and they said the U.S. would work to maintain stability in Iraq.

Prior to visiting Erbil, the US delegation visited Baghdad where they met with Iraqi officials and voiced concerns over Iran’s use of Iraqi airspace in the recent weeks.

“We did raise concerns with the prime minister and the foreign minister (about overflights),” Lieberman told the media in Baghdad, according to an AFP report. “The prime minister has said that he had testimony, or promises from the Iranians that they were just flying humanitarian assistance, but we believe otherwise.”

“I think we should present him (Maliki) with... as much evidence as we can, to show why we believe those Iranian cargo and commercial planes... are carrying items... that enable Assad to kill his own people.” Lieberman added.

Rudaw

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President Barzani Welcomes US Deputy Secretary of State Burns



President Barzani today met with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns for talks on bilateral relations, the political process in Iraq, and challenges facing the region in general.

Mr. Burns said the United States remains committed to cooperating and supporting the KRG, and commended President Barzani’s efforts to settle differences between the KRG and Baghdad.

He added that the United States believes that the resolution of the disagreements coupled with the introduction of reforms through practical steps by the Iraqi government is important for the whole country and will help Iraq become a stronger participant in the region.

During the meeting, President Barzani strongly condemned yesterday's assault on the US consulate in Libya that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and offered his and KRG's condolences to the government and people of the United States.

On relations with Baghdad, the President said the KRG is prepared for engagement with Baghdad to address these outstanding issues but that there needs to be practical steps taken to demonstrate good will. In particular, he said that steps need to be taken on urgent issues such as the passing of a number of outstanding pieces of legislation, including the hydrocarbons legislation, agreed upon prior to the formation of the current government.

The President and the Deputy Secretary of State also talked about developments in Syria, particularly the impact of these developments on Iraq and the KRG, and the humanitarian plight of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan. Some 16,000 Syrian refugees now live in Kurdistan and the number is increasing daily. Deputy Secretary Burns expressed US government appreciation for the KRG to help Syrian refugees.

http://www.malpress.com/english/news/67 ... burns.html

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Kurdistan Region’s President Massoud Barzani left on Sunday for Europe to attend a number of conferences, as reported by presidential statement.

No other details were given.

President Barzani has received invitations to attend the congresses.

http://krp.org/kurdish/default.aspx

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KRG officials in US stress importance of continued US engagement on visit to Washington



Washington DC (KRG.org) - A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq concluded a week long visit to Washington and New York today, highlighting the successes in Iraqi Kurdistan since Iraq's liberation, and calling on the US government to keep the Region in mind during the growing political crisis.

The delegation, which included the Chief of Staff to the President of the Kurdistan Region, Dr. Fuad Hussein, and the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, highlighted a number of key issues including challenges that lie ahead in Iraq and developments in neighboring countries – including Syria and Turkey.

Dr. Hussein stressed the importance of continued American engagement in Iraq, particularly during this period of turmoil in Syria. “It is incumbent on the US to be balanced in its approach to all sides,” he said, reiterating the KRG commitment to the Iraqi constitution and to resolving outstanding issues with the federal government.

The KRG officials welcomed the United States’ continued support for a federal, democratic, and pluralistic Iraq. “The security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, along with US and other foreign direct investment, has allowed it to develop into a positive model for other areas of Iraq and the broader region as well,” said Minister Mustafa.

The delegation held important discussions with senior officials from the White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and Congress, including: Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as well as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). Additionally, the delegation attended a roundtable with the Kurdish American Congressional Caucus, hosted by Co-Chairman Joe Wilson (R-SC).

The delegation also met with the board members of the US Kurdistan Business Council and the Council's chief executive, Retired General James Jones to discuss economic progress in the Kurdistan Region. While in Washington, the Kurdish officials met with a number of other former US government officials, members of the foreign diplomatic corps, and leading think tanks.

Dr Hussein and Minister Mustafa attended a private roundtable discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier in the week and also met with the United Nation’s Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, during the visit.

The message from US officials throughout the visit was that the United States is committed to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and that the administration follows the situation in the wider region very closely.

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Minister Mustafa with Ms Haaften and other representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq - (DFR.krg.org) – Minister Falah Mustafa began a two-day visit to the Netherlands on Wednesday to attend a series of meetings with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the recent posting of a permanent Dutch diplomat to the Kurdistan Region.

In meetings with the Head of the Gulf and Maghreb Department, Ms Willemijn ten Haaften; the Head of the Iraq Desk, Mr Tim Kreuk, and Strategic Policy Advisor, Mr Ernesto Braam, all sides looked at the obstacles that hamper the political process and democratisation of Iraq at this transitional stage and discussed ongoing events in the wider region, as well as the growing ties between Kurdistan and the Netherlands.

Welcoming the Minister to Amsterdam, Ms Haaften said, "We are very happy in making our relationship concrete by the opening of our Liaison Office in Erbil."

"The appointment of a diplomat to Erbil is a significant step in our joint efforts to enhance relations, and I am confident that the office will provide a platform for better and more consistent communication regarding the situation on the ground," Minister Mustafa said.

The Minister touched on the worsening situation in Syria and, urging the international community to help put an end to this crises, he asked the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help the KRG provide humanitarian assistance for the 24,000 refugees already in Kurdistan and the more than 500 that continue to arrive on a daily basis.

Discussing ways to further increase economic, educational, cultural and political cooperation between both sides, they spoke about improving coordination through the KRG’s HCDP programme, as well as other training courses and initiatives. Ms Haaften also emphasized the Netherland’s interest in increasing business relations between their respective communities.

The Minister also met with the Iraqi Ambassador to The Hague, Dr Saad Ibrahim, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation with the embassy and to help promote Kurdish initiatives there.

Minister Mustafa was also hosted at an event organised by the Dutch Kurdish Business Society, where he discussed the political, economic and social developments taking place in Kurdistan and touched on the role that the Kurdish diaspora can play in the Region. He encouraged businesses to visit and consider the opportunities available, and he thanked the members of the diaspora for their efforts in creating more awareness about Kurdistan.

The Minister will meet with a number of other governmental officials and Kurdish organisations, as well as deliver a lecture on the Kurdistan Region’s ongoing development and the KRG’s position on events in Syria before departing the Dutch capital tomorrow morning.

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, Minister Mustafa was received by a number of officials from the Dutch Foreign Ministry and by senior diplomats from the Iraqi Embassy in The Hague.

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President Barzani met Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi in Rome today to discuss bilateral relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region and for consultation on the situation in Syria.

During the meeting, both the President and the Italian Foreign Minister expressed their satisfaction at the rapid pace of progress in ties and cooperation between Italy and Kurdistan and both expressed willingness to work to further enhance relations in the fields of economic and cultural areas as part of the overall framework of relations between Iraq and Italy.

Mr. Giulio Terzi underlined the importance of the role the Kurds play in the political process and the stability and economic boom that the KRG has achieved in recent years.

The two also expressed their concern about the deteriorating situation in Syria and its impact on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. President Barzani said more than 24,000 Syrian refuges have so far fled to the Kurdistan Region and with the help of the UNHCR, the KRG has managed to provide shelter and food for increasing number of syrian refugees.

KRP.org

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Erbil, Kurdistan Region - (DFR.krg.org) – The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa concluded his two-day visit to the Netherlands Thursday by speaking at a seminar organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is the first time a KRG official has been invited to the Netherlands to meet senior officials at their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Mustafa touched on the Syrian refugee crises and the ongoing disputes with the Federal Government. He said, "We share universal values; our journey since 1991 has been challenging and today we are a success story for the rest of Iraq."

"We want to ensure that the prosperity we are witnessing in Kurdistan continues," he added.

As part of his programme, he was hosted for lunch by several senior analysts and policy experts covering Iraq, Iran and Turkey to discuss relations with the Kurdistan Region and what role the Netherlands can play to strengthen relations.

Later in the day Mr Gilles Beschoor Plug, Director of North Africa and the Middle East, invited Minister Mustafa for dinner. He expressed the ministry's strong expressions of support for the visit and said that they hoped it would be the beginning of several other visits.

In welcoming Minister Mustafa to the Netherlands, Mr Plug said: "We are happy to have you here in the Netherlands as the first initial contact between our governments."

During the lunch they discussed at length about the changes in Syria and the need for a unified response from the international community. Minister Mustafa said, "We want the Kurdish people in Syria to learn from our own experiences in Iraq, and one of our goals is to ensure there is unity amongst the various political parties representing Kurdish interests."

The programme was concluded by his participation in a seminar organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event, attracting over 300 attendees, was to discuss the developments of the Kurdistan Region and their role in the Syrian crises.

The lunch, dinner and seminar were attended by Dr. Kendal Nezan, Director of the Kurdish Institute in Paris. The event was attended by Iraqi Ambassador to The Hague, Dr Saad Ibrahim, Dutch MP Harry Van Bommel, and several officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other diplomats from The Hague.

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During his visit to Poland to participate in the World Day of Creativity, Emad Ahmed Deputy Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government and the delegation accompanying him met on Thursday, September 27, with Foajk Aankoviak Vice President of Volkabolska Region for projects and economic infrastructure affairs.

Both sides discussed during the meeting the importance of developing relations between the two regions and results of the delegation's visit to Poland and its participation in the World Day for Creativity held in the Polish city of Poznan with the participation of delegations of a number of countries.

Aankoviak expressed his keenness to strengthen relations and work together with Kurdistan Region on the basis of common interests.

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Nechirvan Barzani the Prime Minster of Kurdistan Regional Government met Sunday, October 7, in Erbil, the French ambassador to Baghdad Deny Gauer and Alan Kyprate council general to Erbil.

Barzani stressed on the importance of strengthening and developing the relations between Kurdistan Region and France, he expressed his happiness of the delegation’s visit, he renewed stressing on the Region’s willingness to support the French companies to invest and participate in the development process in Kurdistan Region.

Deny Gauer shade light the meeting on the partnership between the two countries, he described the presence of the French council general in Erbil as a clue of France’s support to the political, cultural and science fields.

In another aspect off the meeting, the two sides discussed the current situations in Iraq and the pending issues between Baghdad and Erbil , Barzani expressed his willingness to solve any problem peacefully and according to the constitution.