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Russian consulate opened in Iraqi
Kurdistan's capital
28.11.2007
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November
28, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', -- The
Russian consulate was inaugurated in the Kurdistan's
capital Erbil on Wednesday to provide Kurdish
citizens who wish to enter Russia with the necessary
visas.
In his word, Russian ambassador to Iraq at the
inauguration ceremony said "We are in Erbil today to
witness a historic step by inaugurating the Russian
consulate."
"This step came after long negotiations between the
Russian government from one side and the Iraqi and
Kurdish governments from the other," he noted.
"Kurdish citizens can now get Russia's entry visa
from the consulate in Erbil instead of going to
Baghdad," the ambassador highlighted. |
Russia consulate was inaugurated
in Kurdistan region |
He unveiled his country's plan to open a consulate
in the southern city of Basra in Iraq, without
providing further details.
For his part, Iraq's Kurdistan region's Prime
Minister Nechirvan Barzani expressed joy over the
opening of the Russian consulate. www.ekurd.net
"The inauguration of the Russian consulate is due to
the deep-rooted relations between the two
countries," the premier noted.
Erbil witnessed also today the inauguration of the
U.N. regional office; the first among the three
offices announced by the U.N. two months ago within
its plan to expand its role in Iraq.
Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani marked the occasion
of the opening of the Russian Consulate by welcoming
President Putin's Special Envoy, Mr. Igor Yusufov,
and saying, "I want to convey my special thanks to
President Putin for taking this courageous decision
and the interest he gives the Kurdistan Region. This
heralds a new phase in the relationship of the
peoples of Russia and the Kurdistan Region.”
Touching on the two nation's shared history, the
Prime Minister said, "Our people have not forgotten
that Russia was a sanctuary for General Barzani and
his comrades. This historic event created strong
ties between our two people. There is no doubt that
this is the beginning of a new stage in our
relations with the Russian Federation."
The Prime Minister said, "We are trying to rebuild
our region, but we alone cannot carry out this huge
task. We need the support and assistance of our
friends in the international community. We want to
broaden the circle of our relations."
Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG's Department of
Foreign Relations, said, "The opening of the General
Consulate is an example of the progress that can be
achieved by cooperation between the KRG and
Baghdad's Ministry of Foreign Affairs." He went on
to say, "Having endured decades of isolation, the
KRG is now reaching out to the world to forge
social, cultural and economic ties. We believe this
presents an excellent opportunity for Russian
business in the Kurdistan Region itself, as well as
launching pad for the rest of Iraq. We are most
pleased to welcome our friends from the Russian
Federation."
The Russian Federation is the second country, after
Iran, to open a fully accredited consulate in Erbil,
the capital of the Kurdistan Region. Austria, the
Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands,
the Republic of Korea, the UK and US also maintain
diplomatic representation in the Kurdistan Region.
Earlier,
Iraqi Kurdistan government announced that it will
open 15 representations
abroad, the offices will be opened in
Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, the
Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and other countries.
also announced that
Greece had decided to open a
consulate in Kurdistan.
VOI | KRG
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