French FM meets senior Kurdish leaders in Erbil
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, welcomed French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Erbil International Airport on Monday ahead of meetings with senior leaders from the region. During their meeting, Barzani praised French President Emmanuel Macron’s “support” for Kurdistan Region during “difficult times” and his efforts to create a dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil to resolve outstanding issues, according to a statement on the Prime Minister’s official website. “Prime Minister Barzani thanked France for its continued support to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against terrorism as part of the international [anti-Islamic State] coalition.” From his side, “Minister Le Drian stressed France’s support [for] the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and expressed his country’s desire to strengthen bilateral ties.” Early Tuesday, Le Drian met with Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor, Masrour Barzani. The two discussed “regional challenges and the newfound willingness in Erbil and Baghdad to chart a new course,” the Kurdish official said in a Twitter post.
The security chief thanked Le Drian for “France’s longstanding support for the Kurdish people.” The French minister later met with the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani. Editing by Nadia Riva
