President Nechirvan Barzani together with the French Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Éric Chevalier and the German Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Martin Jaeger, the consuls of both countries and a number of ministers and officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government laid the foundation stone of the future French-German Joint Cultural Institute in a symbolic ceremony in Erbil Citadel.

The following is a readout of the President’s speech at the ceremony today:

Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome everyone.

I am pleased to participate today in the laying of the foundation stone of the Cultural Institute, a joint venture between Germany and France. We thank both Germany and France for all their support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Indeed, Mr. Safin Dizayee explained in detail what was necessary to be said about the Kurdistan Region’s position. What I would like to add is that this institute will be another bridge of friendship of the Kurdistan Region with Germany and France. These two countries have provided all kinds of assistance to the Kurdistan Region in times of crises, both militarily, culturally and humanitarian.

Today, on this great occasion, which I think is a very big occasion and a very important work, because it strengthens the cultural ties between our countries, we thank them for all their cooperation, and hope that this cooperation with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq will continue. We would like to thank the teams of both sides, those who came from Paris and those who came to Erbil from Berlin and participated with us.

We would like to thank the French Ambassador and the German Ambassador in Baghdad and the French Consul and the German Consul in Erbil for participating in this ceremony. I hope this institute will become another bridge of cultural cooperation of the Kurdistan Region with France and Germany.

This is an important event because, as I heard from the French Ambassador, this is the fourth time they have done this. They have already done three and Erbil is the fourth. What is being done in Erbil is done in a very important place, the ancient Citadel of Erbil, which is a very important sign of the cultural ties and partnerships we maintain with France and Germany.

Thank you again and everyone is very welcome. Thank you very much.