Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received a delegation from the Syriac Orthodox religious leaders in Mosul and the Kurdistan Region, headed by His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and a number of bishops.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the people, government and the Peshmarga forces of the Kurdistan Region for accommodating and protecting Christians in difficult times. They highlighted the historical roots of the Christians in the region and hailed the peaceful coexistence among the various communities in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani praised the continued tradition of coexistence in the Kurdistan Region and stressed the protection and promotion of religious freedom.

He hoped that the Christians who fled to the Kurdistan Region would not emigrate and remain in their country. He also expressed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s willingness to further develop Syriac education in the Kurdistan Region.

Stability and developments in the wider region were also discussed in the meeting.