President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Christian Cambon, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces of the French Senate and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting focused on the relations of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with France, ways to promote joint cooperation, the Erbil-Baghdad issues, the threats of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the political situation in Iraq and the challenges facing the country.

The President expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the political, military and humanitarian support of France, and referred in particular to the role of President Emmanuel Macron and his efforts to establish peace and stability in Iraq and the wider region.

The President hoped that Iraq’s friends help the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to resolve their differences and stressed that without resolving the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, political stability in Iraq will not be established. The President stressed that the resolution of the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad is the key to peace and stability in the country.

Senator Cambon conveyed the greetings of President Emanuel Macron and the President of the French Senate to President Nechirvan Barzani, and reaffirmed the continued support of France to the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Cambon reiterated the importance of developing bilateral relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and expressed France’s readiness to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in resolving their differences and restoring stability.

Discussions also covered the bilateral relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with the neighboring countries, ways to counter ISIS threats, and the status of the Yezidis, the Christians and other communities in the Kurdistan Region. The situation in the wider region and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting which was attended by the French Consul General and Kurdistan Region’s Representative to France.