Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq, May 22, -
A delegation from the European Union (EU) visited Erbil over the
weekend to congratulate the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on
the successful unification and to see firsthand the Kurdistan
Region. Headed by Gudrun Harrer, Austria's Special Envoy to Iraq,
the delegation included Deputy British Ambassador Robert Gibson.
Austria currently holds the EU Presidency.
The EU delegation met with officials of the Kurdistan National
Assembly (KNA) and the KRG, including KNA Vice President Kamal
Kirkuki and a cross-section of KNA members, the KRG Minister of
State (Ministry of Interior) Karim Sinjari, and Senior Advisor to
the KRG Prime Minister Falah Bakir. They also met with
representatives of political and non-political organizations.
Meetings focused on the relationship between the KRG and the Federal
Government in Baghdad, Article-140 of the Constitution of Iraq,
education, development programs, and ways in which the EU could
become more involved in the Kurdistan Region.
After visiting government offices and major Erbil features including
construction and tourist sites, the delegation expressed their very
favourable impressions of the Kurdistan Region.
The Deputy British Ambassador commented on the "genuine warmth" that
he felt, and that he would return to Baghdad with a positive view of
the progress being made in democracy. He noted the protection of the
rights of minority groups and the Region's many political and
economic achievements.
Krg.org
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