Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received New Zealand’s ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Bradley Sawden.

Ambassador Sawden highlighted New Zealand's participation in the fied of training and providing expertise during the fight against ISIS, and the attempts to normalize people’s live after the  war, as well as the challenges that still threat the stability of the region.

He commended the Kurdistan Regional Government for hosting and offering assistance to a large number of displaced persons and refugees who fled terrorism threat and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked New Zealand for its assistance during the fight against ISIS in Iraq. He stressed the need to eradicate the ideology of ISIS, provide security, basic services, job opportunity, reconstruct the country and develop its economy.

He also discussed the political situation in Iraq, including the formation of the new government, the role of the Kurdistan Region in the political process in Baghdad and the upcoming parliamentary election in the Kurdistan Region.