Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Archbishop Avak Asadourian, the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Iraq.

Discussions covered the status of the Armenian and Christian communities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the importance of the participation of all Iraqi communities in the political process and governance. Safeguarding the churches and promoting the rights of all religious communities were underlined. Discussions also focused on the upcoming elections in Iraq and the threats posed by ISIS.

Archbishop Asadourian shed light on the life and conditions of the Armenians in Kurdistan, referred to the large Armenian community in the city of Zakho and commended the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the Kurdistan Region. The Archbishop also highlighted the dire security situation that led to the migration of large numbers of Armenians from Iraq.