Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his accompanying delegation.

Cardinal Parolin praised the Kurdistan Region for the exemplary level of tolerance and coexistence among its various ethnic and religious communities. He highly appreciated Prime Minister Barzani's leadership in this regard, and reiterated the Vatican's support for the Kurdistan Region.

He thanked the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for welcoming, accommodating and assisting an extraordinary number of displaced people, notably displaced Christians.

Prime Minister Barzani and Cardinal Parolin both emphasized the importance of providing security, stability and basic services in areas from where the displaced people fled, so they can return to their homes.

Prime Minister Barzani affirmed that the Christians of Kurdistan are an important community in Kurdistan society. He noted that his government has continuously worked to further strengthen tolerance, coexistence, and mutual acceptance throughout the Region.

They discussed the situation of Christians in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in general, relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, political developments, and the future of the political process in Iraq. They emphasized resolving outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad on the basis of the Iraqi Constitution.

The situation of the region in general and developments in Syria in particular were also discussed.