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Kurdistan Region’s foreign policy
explained
7.12.2007
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December
7, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan Region 'Iraq',-- Mr
Falah Mustafa Bakir, the Kurdistan Regional
Government's (KRG) Head of Foreign Relations, today
delivered speech at the University of
Kurdistan-Hawler giving a comprehensive overview of
the Kurdistan Region's foreign policy within the
region's historical context.
Minister Bakir emphasised the Kurdistan Region's
historical transition from being cast adrift by
Saddam Hussein regime to its current role within a
federal Iraq. He said, “Today, because we are a
constitutional entity, we benefit from a more equal
relationship with other countries and international
organisations.”
Minister Bakir spoke of the crucial role played by
the KRG’s leadership, especially Prime Minister
Barzani. He attributed the Kurdistan Region’s
success to the leadership’s clear vision and
dedication. |
Falah Mustafa Bakir (R), head of Kurdistan regional
government department of foreign relations at
University of Kurdistan |
Explaining that economic
ties are a key diplomatic tool, Mr Bakir said, “It
is instructive that Turkey did not close its border
with the Kurdistan Region during the recent crisis.www.ekurd.net
This was a victory for
Prime Minister Barzani’s policy of encouraging
economic ties with Turkey. We need to deepen our
economic relations with Turkey, to act as further
buffer against bilateral tension in our relationship
in the future.”
Highlighting the importance of public diplomacy in
expanding and solidifying ties with the
international community, the minister said, “We have
begun to reach beyond governments and communicate to
people and institutions in foreign lands. A shining
example is the Washington Post article, written by
the Prime Minister last month on the day that the
Turkish Prime Minister met President Bush in
Washington.”
While he called on Baghdad to address suspended
issues such as the national oil law, Article 140,
and the federal budget, Mr Bakir also said, “Our
foreign relations cannot be independent, we must
work to harmonise our activities with Baghdad. For
us, there is no realistic alternative. We must
understand and accept that our best course is to
move ahead as part of a federal, democratic and
pluralistic Iraq.”
Dr Abbas Vali, President of the University of
Kurdistan-Hawler, introduced Minister Bakir to the
audience of students, professors and the media. The
university is a publicly funded, English-language
institution serving the Kurdistan Region’s most
academically gifted students. Today’s speech was the
first in a planned series of events aimed at further
facilitating communication between the government,
educational institutions and people of the Kurdistan
Region.
Speech by Minister Falah
Mustafa Bakir.
Head of KRG Department of Foreign Relations
University of Kurdistan – Hawler
Erbil, 6 December 2007
krg org
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