Kurdistan's diplomatic relations

[alan131210]

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (DFR.krg.org) – The Ambassador for the Kingdom of Spain to Iraq, Mr José Turpin, Sunday met with the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, to discuss the posting of an official diplomat in Erbil.

As a sign of Spain’s desire to expand its diplomatic presence in the Kurdistan Region, Ambassador Turpin said his government is actively looking at candidates to fill the vacant post of the honorary consul in order to facilitate the opening of a full Consulate General in the Region.

The Ambassador also announced that Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade plans to appoint a commercial officer in Erbil to work with the honorary consul on developing links with the private sector and on further strengthening economic ties.

Minister Mustafa confirmed that the KRG was ready to provide whatever assistance is needed to help implement this process. “There is great potential for investment in the Region, and we work hard to support the involvement of the international community in Kurdistan and to make you feel welcome here,” he said.

Both parties also exchanged views on recent political developments throughout Iraq. Minister Mustafa stressed the importance of ensuring the success of the upcoming national conference. The purpose of the meeting, he said, would be to resolve pending issues between the various political factions and to create a scheduled implementation of the Erbil Agreement that was made in 2010.

Spain first named an honorary consul to the Region in December 2006 in order to provide information and assistance to the Spanish community in Kurdistan and to liaise with the Spanish embassy in Baghdad. The post was formerly held by Ms Maria Sancho who completed her assignment last year.

In addition to Ambassador Turpin, the meeting was also attended by Mr Daban Shadala, the KRG Representative to Spain.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=41532
http://www.krgspain.org/index.php?limitstart=24&lang=en

[alan131210]

Level of Official Representation:
Honorary Consul

Date Office was Established:
7 December 2011

Office Head:
Fouad Mamand Hamad

Official Rank:
Honorary Consul

Address or Location Description:
Kasnazan Road
Erbil
Kurdistan Region

http://dfr.krg.org/p/p.aspx?p=120&l=12&s=020100&r=363

[alan131210]

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (DFR.KRG.org) – The first official and business delegation from Lithuania visited the Kurdistan Region this week to meet with local officials and explore potential areas of cooperation.

The large group was headed by the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Economy, Mr Daumantas Lapinskas, and included the Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Mr Mindaugas Kuklierius, and the Deputy Director of External Economic Relations Department from the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Regimantas Jablonskas. These senior officials met with a number of KRG ministers and representatives during their three-day visit to the Region.

Mr Lapinskas, said that the delegation was surprised by the vast progress taking place in the Region and that they were pleased with the warm hospitality they had received. He said, ‘We have witnessed much development across the city, and we believe there is much interest from our business community to engage in Kurdistan.’

The delegation pledged to return to Lithuania and raise more awareness about the safety, stability and progress that they witnessed and about the significant economic opportunities Kurdistan has to offer.

In addition to the official meetings attended by the delegation’s senior leadership, a business forum was hosted by the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, the KRG Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the KRG Ministry of Planning for the representatives of the 16 Lithuanian businesses that accompanied the delegation. The forum was also attended by dozens of director-generals from the various ministries and by local businesses interested in building stronger ties with Lithuania.

Commenting on the visit, the KRG Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Sinan Chalabi said, “I was pleased to see such a large delegation. We witnessed significant success from the business forum, and we are hopeful that these meetings will lead to a number of important partnerships in the future.”

In their meeting with the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Minister Falah Mustafa, the delegation’s leaders stressed the need for a planned agenda to follow-up on the successes of their trip. Minister Mustafa agreed and offered the support of the DFR in forming and implementing this plan.

“The KRG is strongly committed to working with the private sector to ensure that our people have a chance to benefit from the progress of the Region,” he said. “But, we also need the experience and know-how of international businesses to ensure that we reach our full potential,” he added.

Minister Mustafa also asked the delegation to encourage their government to establish a diplomatic presence in Erbil, in order to provide a more direct and consistent line of communication between the people, businesses and governments of Kurdistan and the Republic of Lithuania.

In addition to their meetings with Minister Chalabi and Minister Mustafa, the delegation also met with: the KRG Minister of Finance & Economy, Mr Bayiz Saeed Mohammad Talabani; the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Anwar Jabali Sabo; and the Minister of Municipalities and Tourism, Mr Samir Abdullah Mustafa. They also attended meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Planning and the Chamber of Commerce.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=41547

[alan131210]

October 24th, 2011

A trade delegation from Austria, headed by former chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer (pictured), voiced their willingness to open Austria’s trade representation in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

According to the report from AKnews, the delegation met with Parliament Speaker Kemal Kirkuki and promised to cooperate in reconstruction and development of Kurdistan through the new consular office.

There are 21 foreign representations and consulates in the Kurdistan region.

(Source: AKnews; Iraq-Business News)

[alan131210]

16 foreign consulates to open in Kurdistan

Monday, June 01, 2009 08:14 GMT


In a special interview with Alsumaria, Foreign relations official in Kurdistan Fallah Mostapha announced that 16 consulates of foreign countries will reopen in the coming days in Kurdistan while some Arab countries such as Qatar, Lebanon intend to follow the example as well.

For more details, click
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1- ... istan.html

[alan131210]

(AFP) – Feb 8, 2009

DOHA (AFP) — Qatar may open a consulate in Iraq's northern Kurdish region while the Kurds may set up an office in Doha as part of plans to improve diplomatic ties, the official Qana news agency said on Sunday.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday during a visit by Massud Barzani, president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al-Thani.

The document refers to "the possibility of opening a Qatari consulate in Kurdistan with the permission of the Iraqi foreign minister and a Kurdistan office in Qatar," said Imad Ahmed, Kurdish minister of reconstruction and housing.

The agreement also covers "cooperation on infrastructure, agricultural development, agricultural investment, tourism and air transport," said Ahmed, who signed the memorandum on behalf of his government.

In 2007, Iran officially opened consulates in the two main cities of Iraqi Kurdistan: Erbil and Sulaimaniyah.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... QIxPJJb5kA

[alan131210]

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRG.org) – In his first visit to the Kurdistan Region, the Greek Ambassador to Iraq, Dr Mercourios B. Karafotias, said that he was not prepared to witness the level of progress that is taking place in the Kurdistan Region.

In his meeting with President Masoud Barzani on Tuesday, the Ambassador assured the President that the Hellenic Republic wants to play a stronger role in the region’s growing success and said that his government would try to upgrade their commercial office in order to have a permanent diplomat posted to Erbil.

President Barzani welcomed the prospect of expanding relations between Kurdistan and Greece saying, ‘Our people have an old relationship with each other. We appreciate the ties that already exist between us, and we are ready to coordinate and work together to further develop these relations.’

The Ambassador underscored his personal support for increasing relations with the Region on many fronts and assured the President that there would be more frequent visits from the Embassy in Baghdad in the future.

Ambassador Karafotias also attended a separate meeting with Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, to be briefed about the KRG’s outreach policy with the international community and with the growing number of diplomats being posted to Erbil.

Reflecting on the growing international interest in the region, Minister Mustafa said, ‘The region is stable and secure, and we are willing to provide any assistance needed in order to upgrade the current level of representation from Greece.’ He added that joining other countries in establishing a diplomatic presence will ensure more awareness of the economic opportunities that exist in the Region and a better understanding of Kurdistan’s political situation.

Both sides also touched on the need for civic ties to be enhanced, especially in regard to Greece’s extensive knowledge and experience in agriculture, and Minister Mustafa highlighted the potential for cooperation between cities and universities as well.

During his three-day visit to the region, the Ambassador also met with KRG Minister of Interior, Mr Karim Sinjari; Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Jamil Sleiman Haider; Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, Mr Kamaran Ahmed Abdullah; and Minister of Health, Mr Taher Abdullah Hussein Hawrami.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=41510

[alan131210]

11 NOV 2011 05:38

Brussels, Belgium (KRP.org) – President Masoud Barzani this week in Brussels met Belgium’s Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere. He also met European Union officials to discuss expanding relations with its member states.

President Barzani encouraged Foreign Minister Vanackere to move Belgium’s Embassy from Amman to Baghdad and to consider opening a consulate in Erbil. Mr Vanackere commended the political and economic progress in the Kurdistan Region and expressed his country’s desire to have closer ties.

President Barzani also met President of Belgium’s Senate Sabine de Bethune, and of the Chamber of Representatives André Flahaut. They discussed the federal system in both countries, and how Kurdistan's institutions can interact more with those of Belgium.

In his meetings with European Union officials, President Barzani urged EU member states to be more actively engaged in Iraq’s and Kurdistan’s reconstruction process. He asked for more economic and political cooperation, saying that Europe should invest in Kurdistan and play a greater role in Iraq’s democratic and economic progress.

Mr Struan Stevenson MEP described President Barzani’s visit as constructive for EU strategic relations with Iraq and particularly Iraqi Kurdistan, and looked forward to these relations being expanded in future. Mr Stevenson is Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iraq.

President Barzani also met Mr Martin Schulz MEP, the President of the European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats Group.

The EU representatives said that they hoped for more improvements in Iraq’s human rights and respect for the rights of ethnic minorities and different religions. To this end, Mr Stevenson said that the Kurdistan Region acts as a shining example to the rest of Iraq in its peaceful environment and tolerance of minorities and different religions.

President Barzani was accompanied by RG Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami, the President’s Chief of Staff Dr Fuad Hussein, the KRG Head of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Iraq's Ambassador to Belgium H.E. Mohammed Al-Hmmemidy, and the KRG Representative to the EU Mr Salim Gravi.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=41355

[alan131210]

Erbil, Kurdistan – Iraq (KRG.org) – Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Samuel Žbogar yesterday on his first visit to Kurdistan and Iraq met President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government ministers.

On a two-day visit as part of an official trip to Iraq, Minister Žbogar and President Barzani discussed the current political and economic developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole.

Presiden Barzani and Minister Žbogar explored opportunities for cooperation between Slovenia and the Kurdistan Region. Foreign Minister Žbogar expressed his country’s interest in developing bilateral relations, and the desire by Slovenian companies to come and invest in Kurdistan.

After warmly welcoming the Slovenian Foreign Minister, President Barzani said that the KRG is equally keen to develop ties with Slovenia and suggested that expert-level delegations from Slovenia make visits to Kurdistan and meet their counterparts.

He added that there are many opportunities for Slovenian companies, particularly in the areas of tourism, agriculture, industry, and energy.

In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Žbogar met the KRG Minister for the Interior, Karim Sinjari, the President’s Chief of Staff, Dr Fuad Hussein and the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir.

In his meeting with Mr Bakir, Mr Žbogar said that he was pleased to see Kurdistan firsthand and was impressed with the differences in Kurdistan from other parts of Iraq. He noticed the economic activities and the many visible signs of construction. He expressed a strong wish to follow up on his visit and have more interaction with the Region.

Commenting on the foreign Minister's visit, Minister Bakir said, "This was a good opportunity for us to explore potential areas of cooperation. We welcome this step which is in line with the KRG's outreach policy to expand our relations with the international community."

The KRG officials briefed the Slovenian Foreign Minister about the development of the Kurdistan Region, starting from the uprisings and establishment of the no-fly zones in 1991. They also discussed the KRG’s vision for the future, stressing the importance of working together to help Kurdistan progress both politically and economically.

Minister Žbogar also met officials from the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Mine Action Agency and the Kurdistan Investment Board. During the second day of his visit, he toured the governorate of Erbil with Governor Nawzad Hadi, and saw Erbil’s ancient citadel.

During the meetings with the various Kurdish leaders, Mr Žbogar was assured of the KRG's commitment to being an integral part of a democratic, pluralist and federal Iraq that respects the Iraqi constitution.

Minister Bakir and his deputy Karwan Jamal bid farewell to the Foreign Minister and his accompanying delegation when they departed Erbil International Airport.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=40763

[alan131210]

2 JUL 2011 16:40

London, UK (UK.KRG.org) - A ministerial-led delegation of business leaders from the Kurdistan Region in Iraq this week visited Edinburgh, where they met Scottish ministers, members of parliament and business organisations who all agreed the two nations should strengthen their ties.

Trade and Industry Minister Sinan Çelebi and Municipalities and Tourism Minister Samir Abdullah Mustafa discussed tourism, the trading environment and energy in both the Kurdistan Region and Scotland in their meetings with Fiona Hyslop, Scotland's Culture and External Relations Secretary, and Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism.

Mr Ewing said, "We would like to do whatever we can to try to develop business links between Scottish and Kurdish companies."

He suggested that Kurdistan's private sector engage with Scottish Development International (SDI), the official trade and investment agency, which will introduce Kurdish businesses and the KRG to Scotland's key sectors and business community. A representative of SDI participated in the meeting.

Ms Hyslop said, “We hope for long and sustainable links for our mutual benefit. Kurdistan is an emerging market offering excellent business opportunities and has a young and growing population, while Scotland is strong in finance and banking, tourism, trade, oil and gas, which can be beneficial to you.”

Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the KRG’s High Representative to the UK said, “Kurdistan and Scotland have a great deal in common – we both have a population of five million, we too are proud of our highlands and landscapes, we have devolved administrations, and are rich in natural resources.”

The delegation also met with parliamentarians, trade organisations, and companies to discuss sharing expertise in business and also to explore potential cultural ties with Scotland.

The visit to Scotland is part of a week-long trade and investment road show, which has taken the delegation from London to Edinburgh and Belfast, to promote friendship through commerce and to build stronger cultural and trade ties with the British devolved nations.

The Kurdistan delegation also met Scottish trade organisations such as chambers of commerce and informed them about the opportunities in the Region. The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and Scottish companies working in upstream and downstream oil and gas, tourism, and healthcare networked with the Kurdish companies and KRG officials.

Minister Çelebi said, “Your technology and know-how can be transferred to our Region." Minister Abdullah said, "Kurdistan is full of opportunities, one of them tourism. We can learn a great deal from Scotland about the infrastructure and the communications aspects of tourism. We can learn from your experience, expertise and technical know how."

Scottish Member of Parliament Hanzala Malik, who is Vice Chair of the Scottish Parliament's Europe and External Affairs Committee, hosted a reception for the Kurdish delegation where he announced his intention to create a cross-party group to focus on Kurdistan.

At the reception, the Kurdistan delegation met politicians, artists, academics, businesses and members of Scotland’s Kurdish community.

Earlier in the week, the delegation participated in a Kurdistan trade, investment and business forum in London, organised by the KRG UK Representation with the support of the UK Trade and Investment, which is part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

The delegation members include: Dr. Ezat Issa, Council of Ministers Adviser on Economy and Finance; Nawroz Mawlood Amin, Kurdistan Investment Board's Director General for Legal Affairs; Hayder Mustafa, Kurdistan Investment Board's Director General for Studies and Information; Fat'hi Mudaris, Ministry of Trade and Industry Adviser on International Relations; Michael Howard, Ministry for Natural Resources Adviser on Communications.

They were accompanied by the heads of the Erbil, Dohuk and Suleimaniah chambers of commerce; the heads of the investment and contractors associations; and the chief executives of several leading companies from across the Kurdistan Region.

http://dfr.krg.org/a/d.aspx?l=12&a=40563

[alan131210]

KRG.org 14:25:27 02 Jul. 2011

London, UK (UK.KRG.org) – Closer trade and political ties were forged this week between Kurdistan and Northern Ireland during a visit to Belfast by a Kurdish business delegation led by two ministers.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Trade and Industry Minister Sinan Celebi, Municipalities and Tourism Minister Samir Abdullah and several KRG officials met with Northern Ireland's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster at the Kurdistan Business Seminar in Belfast which involved more than 40 Northern Irish companies.

Several leading Kurdish companies and representatives of trade organisations, as well as senior KRG officials from the Investment Board, the Trade Ministry, the Council of Ministers and the KRG UK Representation attended.

Mrs Foster said, "I'm delighted that a Kurdistan trade delegation is visiting Northern Ireland. I believe our region has a good mix of what Kurdistan needs". Mrs Foster was invited by the KRG ministers to lead a Northern Ireland mission to Kurdistan.

At least £1.7million (pounds) worth of trade has been done between the two regions following a three-day visit to Kurdistan by a Northern Ireland delegation in January and much more is expected.

Minister Çelebi said, "We are ready to cooperate in all fields. We are very eager to have your companies and investors come to Kurdistan where they can do business in a welcoming and productive environment."

Minister Abdullah said, "Kurdistan and Northern Ireland have both emerged from conflict with a view to encouraging trade and tourism. Your companies have more experience and expertise. We welcome them to work with us in the tourism sector."

The seminar was organised by Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), the region’s trade and investment government agency, and the KRG UK Representation and follows a similar event in September last year.

Noel Johnston, Invest NI's head of Asia trade, said, "We have seen some successes already, after some Northern Ireland companies visited Kurdistan. Trade could increase significantly within a few years."

The delegation also met the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly William Hay, at Stormont, the seat of the assembly, and the Lord Mayor of Belfast Niall Ó Donnghaile who warmly welcomed the delegation to the capital.

Belfast was the delegation’s final stop in a week-long trade and investment road show across Britain, to promote Kurdistan’s growing trade, business and investment opportunities, and to foster cultural ties with the Britain's devolved nation.

http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp? ... 0&lngnr=12

[Welato_21]

Wow i like the way KRG are doing, KRG are not reject anyone and that is good we must have relations with all countries inclusive Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Israel, more relations with mean more business to KRG and Kurdistan.

[alan131210]

18/April/2012

Erbil, April 18 (PNA) - The Swedish Trade Minister Eva Dorlng, on Wednesday, opened consular offices and representation in Erbil, the Swedish Trade, after the government lifted a Swedish diplomatic representation in the province of the Office of the Permanent Mission to the Office of the Consulate.

The decrees were in the presence of cream Sinjari, Minister of Interior and Sinan Chalabi, Minister of Trade and Industry in the Kurdistan Regional Government and Falah Mustafa, foreign relations official in the Council of Ministers in the government of the province and the Ambassador of Sweden to Iraq.

In her speech said that the Swedish Minister of Trade "lift Tmthleena diplomat in the region comes after the promises we made to the Kurds in Sweden in 2005, and we are very happy with our presence here."

She pointed to the importance of Dorlng raise diplomatic representation to the Swedish government, as well as open trade representation office in the Kurdistan region, said that "This move will encourage companies and investors Alsodaan to come here and participate in the process of rebuilding the country."

For his part, said Falah Mustafa, foreign relations official in the provincial government in a speech that "this is a good step by the Swedish government and we welcome them, and we declare our support for the entire region as a government to them (Swedes) and take advantage of their expertise and experiences."

He added that "the security and political and economic stability enjoyed by the Kurdistan region of Iraq has become an incentive to foreign countries to open consulates them in the region," noting that "at present the number of diplomatic missions in foreign territory to 24 consulates and offices of the diplomatic representation."

[alan131210]

18/04/2012

A source from Kurdistan regional government announced that, in a near future Romania will open its representative office in Erbil, and KRG's Trade and commerce minister, Fati Mahamad revealed that at the end of this month they will be holding an economic forum with Romania.

" Romania will officially open its representative in Kurdistan and preparations are underway but its not yet clear when the ceremony is taking place" the source said.

He added saying " there will also be an economic forum held in Erbil with participation of businessmen from both sides"

AKnews

[alan131210]

18/04/2012

Tariq Jawhar, Parliament chairmen adviser from Kurdistan autonomous region (KAR), announced Wednesday that a high delegation leaded by Kuwaiti Amir's son Sabah Ahmed Al Sabah, will be visiting next week and will be meeting with KRG's PM , Parliament chairmen as well as Vice President.

"The visit is aimed at strengthening the historical ties between the two sides as well as seeking ways to develop the relations" the source said.

AKnews