UK Ambassador praises progress in Kurdistan
Region 16.6.2006
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UK Ambassador
praises progress and highlights challenges ahead
15 June 2006, Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq (KRG). At a British celebration
of Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday, Britain's Ambassador to Iraq
praised the Kurdistan Region's economic and political progress, and
highlighted some of the challenges ahead for the region and Iraq as
a whole .
He also said that the UK may have a permanent diplomatic presence in
the Region in the near future.
Ambassador William Patey also noted the progress achieved in new
construction, roads and parks, highlighting two international
airports, world class hotels, and new universities and roads in less
than two years.
He commended the Kurdistan Regional Government on the recent
unification of what was previously two administrations and noted the
work needed to complete the merger of the ministries of interior,
finance, justice and peshmerga affairs. |
Ambassador Patey welcomes President Barzani
Photo: KRG |
Ambassador Patey welcomed his guests in Kurdish, in the presence of
President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and
Deputy Prime Minister Omer Fattah. Those attending the celebration
included members of the KRG and the Kurdistan National Assembly, the
governors of Erbil and Kirkuk, KDP and PUK members, British citizens
from Kurdistan, and other local and international guests.
The outdoor ceremony, held Wednesday 14 June, took place at a hotel
overlooking the mountains of Salahaddin.
Ambassador Patey highlighted the contribution of the Kurdistan
leadership to the formation of the Government of National Unity in
Baghdad. He expressed his support for the KRG's efforts at improving
good governance, including fairness, transparency, more involvement
of the Kurdistan National Assembly's committees to work with and
monitor government activities, and greater media independence to
promote government policy in tune with peoples' needs and demands.
Referring to the long history of British involvement in the
Kurdistan Region, Ambassador Patey recalled the institution of the
1991 no-fly zone and safe haven which offered the opportunity to
build a democratic government. He acknowledged those who sought
refuge in the UK, many of whom are now British citizens.
He noted the evolution of a mature relationship between the
Kurdistan Regional Government and the UK and said the diplomatic
relationship will result in a permanent presence in the Kurdistan
Region in the near future.
Ambassador Patey introduced Ms. Andrea Reidy, the new British Consul
General based in Kirkuk. Ms. Reidy earlier served in Baghdad with
the CPA and the British Embassy. She replaces Colin Crorkin, who
will become Britain's Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines.
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