Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq - (DFR.krg.org) – Minister Falah Mustafa welcomed the EU Missions in Iraq yesterday as part of a series of consultations the delegation is holding with the senior leadership of the Kurdistan Region.

The working visit to the region was headed by the Head of EU Delegation to Iraq, Ambassador Jana Hybaskova. The delegation included 13 ambassadors from Baghdad and the Erbil-based diplomats from France, Italy and the Netherlands – representing their embassies.

Speaking about their deliberations with Iraqi governmental and political leaders in Baghdad, Ambassador Hybaskova said that the objective was to understand the different views and to establish confidence-building measures between political factions. She said, “Iraq is a strategic location for us due to its role in the greater region, and we are here to understand how the EU can provide support and aid to the political process in Iraq.”

In parallel to their meetings in Erbil and Baghdad, the missions have been holding discussions with EU headquarters in Brussels.

Minister Mustafa expressed his appreciation for the exchange of views and called upon the missions to have further visits to the region. He provided a detailed account of the previous, unimplemented agreements with the Iraqi political leaders, especially the Erbil Agreement which paved the way for the formation of the current government.

He said, “We want to be equal citizens and partners in Iraq. The current situation is alarming and has not gone the way we envisioned.” He also touched on the role that the Kurds played in easing ethnic tensions saying that they played as a ‘force of cohesion’.

He reiterated the commitment to previous agreements and to abiding by the Iraqi Constitution, saying dialogue continues to be the key channel for the leadership to resolve differences.

During the meeting the diplomats discussed other important aspects, including continued efforts to diffuse Iraqi political tensions, the presence of military troops in and around Kirkuk, and the instability in Syria and its regional repercussions.

The three-day programme included meetings with President Masoud Barzani, Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Arsalan Baiz, and other senior officials in the region.