Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani meets with Greek officials on the issue of migrants

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani on Saturday held separate meetings with the Greek Minister of Immigration and Refugees, Notis Mitraki, and the president of the European Union for Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, Fabris Ligeri, to discuss the issue of immigration.
 
The Deputy Prime Minister shared his concerns on the recent trend of Kurdish migrants traveling to the Greek border and the European Union more broadly, and urged for this humanitarian crisis to be treated with care.
 
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that greater foreign investments in the Kurdistan Region would provide more opportunities for families and youths, which would reduce irregular migration and the need to spend on border protection. He added that joint economic planning could also be a part of the solution and in the interest of the European Union’s nations.
 
Both sides agreed to continue working together in dismantling human trafficking networks, which are harming migrants and robbing families of their dignity and livelihoods. The Deputy Prime Minister noted more support from Greek and European Union officials to facilitate the issuance of visas to citizens of the Kurdistan Region would be welcomed as it would help limit the number of people resorting to illegal migration.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani was joined by the President of the Diwan of Council of Ministers, Umed Sabah, the Chairman of General Board of Tourism, Amal Jalal, and the Deputy head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Daban Shadala.