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Belgian FM meets Iraqi Kurdistan region
president
29.5.2009
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May
29, 2009
Erbil-Hewlêr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Belgium’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht arrived
in Erbil today to meet the leaders of the Kurdistan
Region. During his visit he endorsed the federal
system as the most suited to Iraq, and discussed
building closer commercial relations with the
Kurdistan Region.
The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister came to Erbil, the
Kurdistan Region's capital, after a visit to Baghdad
and was accompanied by Belgian Chargé d’Affaires
Jeroen Vergeylen, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar
Zebari and other officials.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister
Nechirvan Barzani greeted the Deputy Prime Minister
at the airport and held a luncheon in honour of Mr
De Gucht, attended by a number of senior KRG
officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Imad
Ahmad. |
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Karel de Gucht (L)
with Kurdistan region president Massoud Barzani in a
press conference in Erbil. |
Mr Barzani said, “I am
very happy to see Deputy Prime Minister De Gucht
here today. Belgium has a rich federal experience,
of great importance to the KRG as we promote a
federal, democratic, pluralistic Iraq.” He added, “I
would like to express my firm support for
forthcoming trade missions to the Region,www.ekurd.net
which will give Belgian
firms a chance to invest in the Region.” The Prime
Minister briefed Mr De Gucht on political
developments and several key issues, including
Kirkuk and disputed territories, oil and gas
legislation, and adherence to the Constitution.
President Masoud Barzani, Vice President Kosrat
Rosul, and senior officials met Deputy Prime
Minister De Gucht in the afternoon. Mr Barzani and
Mr De Gucht held a joint press conference at the
conclusion of their meeting.
President Barzani said, “I would like to warmly
welcome HE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Karel De Gucht of Belgium, and I think this
visit is a good opportunity to exchange views and
talk about different issues. We are pleased that
Belgium has shown interest in enhancing its
relations with Iraq in general and the Kurdistan
Region as well.” He added, “We look forward to
further developing the relationship between the
Kurdistan Region and Belgium, including encouraging
Belgian companies to come and invest in the Region,
in order to participate in the reconstruction
process.”
Mr De Gucht’s presented his views on federalism in
Iraq. “I think that the future of Iraq is best
served by a federal system, because you have
different nations within one country and you have
different ethnic groups within one country and you
have different religions.”
He continued, “I think it is very important that
there is maximum transparency with respect to the
revenues and the financial aspects of your
federation.” He explained that Belgium has
experience with a form of federal government since
the 1970s. Mr De Gucht also addressed the importance
of adherence to the Iraqi Constitution.
Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations,
Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, said, “The KRG
welcomes this visit as we expand our relations with
the international community, in cooperation with the
Federal Foreign Ministry in Baghdad.”
Deputy Prime Minister De Gucht visited the local
office of the Mine Advisory Group (MAG),www.ekurd.net
which has been supported
by the Belgian Foreign Ministry for the past few
years. Finally, the delegation briefly toured the
citadel and the city of Erbil. Mr De Gucht was
impressed by the level and pace of reconstruction.
Copyright, respective author or news agency, krg org
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