Presidency.gov.krd | London, UK

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani was warmly received by Mr. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at 10 Downing Street in London on Friday.

Prime Minister Johnson expressed his delight in receiving the President, thanked him for the visit and reiterated that the UK attaches importance to its relations with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The Prime Minister said that the UK relations with the Kurdistan Region were formed 30 years ago with the establishment of the no fly zone. Mr. Johnson said these mutual relations will grow stronger and the UK is committed to continue strengthening bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Johnson reiterated that the relations are historic and need to be made stronger, especially the economic relations. The Prime Minister affirmed the willingness of the UK to expand trade and commerce and to increase visiting delegations to both countries. Mr. Johnson expressed willingness to visit Erbil again and said: I have great memories from the previous visit. The Prime Minister thanked the President for his role in resolving differences in Iraq and ensuring stability.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani referred to his visit to London and his meeting with Prime Minister Johnson as reassuring and important for expansion of relations, especially after the recent events in the region. The President expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the UK government and the allies for their political, military and humanitarian support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The President stressed that the Kurdistan Region is willing to expand all areas of mutual cooperation with the United Kingdom, especially in trade and investments.

Regarding Erbil-Baghdad relations and their pending differences, the President affirmed that talks are ongoing in a positive atmosphere with the Iraqi federal government. The President reiterated that the Kurdistan Region is willing to resolve all disputes based on the constitution.

Discussions also covered COVID-19 pandemic, terror threats and the dangers of ISIS resurgence, which continues to pose a considerable threat.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with the neighboring and regional countries, the status of the refugees and the displaced people in the Kurdistan Region, developments in Afghanistan and other topics of mutual interest were highlighted.