Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received the Head of the Erbil Liaison Office of the European Union Delegation to Iraq, Ms. Clarisse Pásztory, who handed Mr. Barzani a letter from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Federica Mogherini.

In the letter, Ms. Mogherini expressed EU’s condolences to the Kurdistan Region in the wake of the earthquake of November 12th. She also expressed her thanks to President Masoud Barzani for his partnership and leadership over many years.

Ms. Mogherini said that the EU has been following developments closely with concern, adding that their priority has been to help avoid escalation into violence by any party and to support the efforts being made to find peaceful resolution of contentious issues. She elaborated the EU continues to monitor the situation and is providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.

The High Representative of the EU stressed, in her letter, that the EU, together with its international partners, stands ready to facilitate dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad should such facilitation be requested.

She also stated her support to the stability of the Kurdistan Region, saying that the "unity and stability not just of Iraq but of the Kurdistan Region and of its government institutions as well, is important for the EU.”