-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq , Last week, officials from the French Province of Dordogne signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kurdistan Regional Government to encourage region-to-region ties.

This agreement builds upon the first joint declaration between Kurdistan and France that was signed during a visit by President Masoud Barzani to Paris in 2010.



Signing the MoU on behalf of the KRG, Minister Falah Mustafa said that this was another important method of enhancing bilateral ties with France as a whole. The agreement calls upon both sides to enhance economic development by inviting French companies; education and training programmes, water development and management, and the exchange of expertise in architectural heritage.



Acknowledging the KRG’s outreach policy with the international community, Minister Mustafa said, ‘France has been a close friend of our people. This agreement will encourage other regions in France and in Europe to visit Kurdistan and see the opportunities it offers.’



As President of the Council of Dordogne province, Senator Bernard Cazeau, a French Senator and Chairman of the French-Iraqi Friendship Association, expressed his desire to strengthen relations with Kurdistan and praised the efforts of the KRG Representation in France for promoting the initiative.



During their visit to the Region, the delegation also met with President Barzani and other senior government officials.



The French Consul General in Erbil, Mr Alain Guépratte, and the KRG Representative in France, Ms. Khaman Asaad, both participated in signing ceremony that took place at the KRG Department of Foreign Relations. Commenting on this agreement, Mr Guépratte said: 'This opens new prospects and horizons for exchanges in multiples fields, and shows a desire to better understand each other and work together in a very friendly atmosphere.'