President Barzani Meets French President Hollande in Paris
In their meeting at the Élysée Palace, President Hollande and President Barzani discussed bilateral relations between France and the Kurdistan Region, the Syrian crisis and the role of Syrian Kurds there, and the political situation in Iraq.
Both sides hailed the rapid progress in economic and cultural cooperation between the two sides, and emphasized the importance of maintaining and further expanding these ties. President Barzani praised the role of France and its people in offering their support for the Kurdish people in the past.
The two also discussed the ongoing conflict in Syria and the role of Kurds in that country. President Barzani reiterated that the Kurds in Syria are struggling for their democratic rights. He added that the crisis in Syria can only be ended through democratic and peaceful means.
On the developments in Iraq, particularly on disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, President Barzani said that following Prime Minister Maliki’s recent visit to Erbil, there is now a sense of rapprochement, and dialogue in underway between the two sides.
