Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his delegation met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the SPIEF'16 - St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Welcoming Prime Minister Barzani, Foreign Minister Lavrov highlighted Russia's good relations with the Kurdistan Region including the active roles of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Erbil and Russian commercial enterprises, particularly in the field of energy.

Talking about Russian support to the Kurdistan Region in its war against ISIS, Mr. Lavrov reaffirmed that his country will continue its support.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Minister Lavrov for the warm welcome and highlighted the old friendship between the people and government of the Kurdistan Region and the Russian Federation. He also expressed his gratitude for the Russian military support to the Kurdistan Region in its war against ISIS terrorists.

Prime Minister Barzani also praised the work of Gazprom Naft in the Kurdistan Region, and the role of the Russian Consulate General in Erbil. He expressed his wishes to develop relations in various fields.

They also discussed the situation of the Syrian refugees and Iraqi internally displaced people who fled ISIS and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Lavrov praised the role of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for the assistance they have offered to this large number of vulnerable people.