President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Patrick Durrell, Advisor to the French President on Middle East and North African Affairs, on Wednesday evening.

The two exchanged views on the expected visit of France’s President Emmanuel Macron to Iraq, French relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the internal situation in the country.

They both stressed the importance of France’s ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and pointed to France’s role and active participation in the international coalition against ISIS, as well as the necessity and importance of the French Government’s support for Iraq at this stage.

Regarding the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, they agreed on the importance of the political parties’ solidarity and unity in the Kurdistan Region as well as their unity in Baghdad. They also discussed relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the ongoing talks to resolve their differences.

President Barzani thanked President Macron for his role and support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and stressed that the Kurdistan Region is always ready to discuss the issues with Baghdad in accordance with the Constitution and the federal system.

Their meeting also highlighted the situation for refugees and the ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq’s and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with neighboring countries, the latest developments in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and the wider regional situation.