London, Tuesday 27 June 2006 (KRG)
– The Kurdistan Regional Government hosted a reception in London on
Monday evening to thank British parliamentarians, institutions,
trade unionists, business leaders, the diplomatic community and
commentators for the continued support shown to the people of the
Kurdistan Region in Iraq.
Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, Kurdistan Regional Government High
Representative to the United Kingdom, welcomed more than 150 guests
to the reception. In her speech Ms Rahman said: “Today we see
greater political and economic ties than ever before between the
Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom.
There are British companies based in the Kurdistan Region with a
view to later expanding in the rest of Iraq; many British
parliamentarians, trades unions and members of other organisations
have visited the Region and seen for themselves the progress that we
are making in our efforts to strengthen democracy; Britain is
expected to establish a permanent diplomatic presence in the Region;
and Ambassador William Patey earlier this month announced plans to
send a trade delegation to the Region in the autumn.” |
Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman with Bob Spink, British MP
Photo:KRG |
She added: “This friendship has strengthened over the past three
years as we have together confronted the many challenges facing the
Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole. And I believe that the spirit
of friendship will continue as we tackle the tasks ahead of us.”
Bob Spink, a British MP who visited the Kurdistan Region for the
second time last year, also addressed the guests and said: “The KRG
has made great strides in democratic processes, institutions, the
development of good governance and human rights and the importance
of minorities. I am amazed at the speed of economic development,
with new roads, universities, hotels, airports, parks, improvements
in healthcare and the optimism and realism of the young.”
He added: “The KRG has shown leadership in forming the unified
cabinet and also in the government of national unity in Baghdad, and
has set an example for the whole of the Middle East. I think this
progress could not have been achieved without the friendship and
constant support of Great Britain and Europe.”
Tom Hardie Forsyth, adviser to the Kurdistan Regional Government,
spoke about his experience of visiting Kurdistan, particularly
Sami’s Park in Erbil – a serene and pleasant park built on the site
of a former Baathist military base.
Recent developments in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq include the
announcement of a unified regional cabinet in May 2006 and economic
progress that is fast establishing Kurdistan as the commercial
gateway to Iraq. In a statement published in May this year, the
Kurdistan Regional Government has pledged its determination to
establish strong constitutional institutions to further support the
democratic process and identifies its aim of forming a system of
good governance through the participation of all groups, with
transparency and accountability, which could mean a modern,
professional government that forms a template for the rest of Iraq
to follow.
Guests at the reception included Mike Gapes MP, who is chairman of
the British parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Lord Tim
Clement Jones, Lord Avebury, several other MPs and peers, some of
whom have been long-time supporters of Kurdistan and Iraq. Dr Salah
Al-Shaikhly, Iraq’s Ambassador to the UK, attended alongside
diplomats from the US, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Flanders, Kuwait
and Oman.
krg org Top |
® 