Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Canadian Ambassador to Iraq Paul Gibbard, Head of the Office of the Embassy of Canada in Erbil Ms. Nancy Bergeron,  and their accompanying delegation.

Ambassador Gibbard praised the role of the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS and for having accommodated and offered assistance to an extraordinary number of displaced people.

He offered a brief on Canada's programmes and assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He stressed his country’s close attention to gender equality and effective participation of women in decision-making, and also focused on governance issues, including decentralization.

Prime Minister Barzani briefed the delegation about the political situation, the post-parliamentary elections in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as well as opening of a new page in the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad. He highlighted the fight against ISIS and thank the US-led international coalition, including Canada, for their support.

The situation of displaced persons and refugees, formation of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the status and role of women and further developing relations between the Kurdistan Region and Canada were also discussed.