Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region Mr. Dominique Mas, who handed Prime Minister Barzani a letter from French President, Emmanuel Macron.

In the letter, President Macron praised the role of President Masoud Barzani in leading the Kurdistan Region and building the new Iraq, describing his role as historical. President Macron hailed the leadership of President Barzani in defeating ISIS and said that under his command the Peshmerga played a decisive role.

President Macron said that the joint fight against ISIS further strengthened the historic friendship between France and the people of Kurdistan. He stressed that France has always tried to have the rights of the Kurdish people recognized within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

In his letter, President Macron expressed his hope that, to strengthen the relations and guaranteeing the Kurdistan Region's stability, his government and the KRG continue working together. He stressed that the stability of the Kurdistan Region is important for Iraq and the entire Middle East.

President Macron welcomed the recent field negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Iraqi Authorities which prevented military escalation. He also highlighted the necessity of conducting political dialogue to find a solution for all the issues. 

He elaborated in his letter that in his October 28th phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, he told him that resuming dialogue with the support of the United Nations is the only solution to reach a lasting peace in Iraq for all Iraqis.

In the meeting with the French Consul General, Prime Minister Barzani thanked President Macron, the people and government of France for supporting the aspirations of the people of Kurdistan through all stages of their history, particularly during the fight against ISIS.

He reiterated the KRG’s readiness to conduct dialogue with the Iraqi Federal Government based on the Iraqi Constitution and hoped that the international community, especially the United Nations, paly a further active role in encouraging a constructive dialogue with Baghdad within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution to guarantee peace and stability and resolve all pending issues.