Czech Embassy hosts National Day reception in Erbil
The reception was attended by the Minister of Interior, Karim Sinjari, the Minister of Peshmerga, Jafar Mustafa, the Minister of Education, Osmat Muhamad Khalid, the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, the Governor of Erbil Newzad Hadi and other senior officials along with members of the diplomatic community, political parties and civil society institute.
The Czech Ambassador to Iraq, Alexandr Langer, welcomed the guests to the celebration, highlighting the 24 years of freedom that his people have enjoyed since the Velvet Revolution in 1989. He added, ‘The Velvet Revolution against the communist regime in power started in the Czech Republic. Despite the official Czech National Day being on 28 October, we chose to celebrate it on the anniversary of the revolution given the shared tragic history between the Czech and Kurdish people.’
In discussing relations between both sides, Czech Ambassador Langer said, ‘The Czech Republic is very active in the Kurdistan Region and many workers and companies are involved in the development of the region as well as cooperation across many sectors.’ He stressed his hopes that relations between both sides will continue to improve.
Minister Mustafa, who spoke on behalf of the KRG, also welcomed the participants and thanked Ambassador Langer for organising this reception in Erbil. He congratulated the government and people of the Czech Republic on this special occasion.
Minister Mustafa also spoke about the similarities that the people of the Czech Republic and Kurdistan share particularly in their struggle for democracy and freedom. He thanked the Czech companies working in Kurdistan, including those that have participated in international fairs and exhibitions in Erbil, Slemani and Duhok.
He also pointed out that in 2006 the Czech Republic was the first country to open a representative office in the region. The decision to upgrade the level of diplomatic representation to Kurdistan was welcomed by Minister Mustafa as this works parallel with the Kurdistan Regional Government's policy of expanding relations with the international community and its belief that a strong economic partnership can only come about through participation.
