The Department of Foreign Relations hosted a meeting today for the Kurdistan Region’s diplomatic corps, providing them with the first update since the region's elections on the political, economic and security developments both in Kurdistan as well as Iraq.

The Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, welcomed the diplomats and thanked them for the role they have played in the Kurdistan Region. He said, ‘I would like to reiterate that the doors of DFR are open anytime and we will do all that we can to ensure that you succeed in your mission.’

The meeting, the first since the parliamentary elections in September, set out to cover a wide range of topics. ‘There are a number of areas in which we can cooperate; political, economic, cultural, educational, as well as social,' said Minister Mustafa. 'All these areas help build bridges between governments as well as their people.’

Minister Mustafa said the running of the elections ‘was another milestone of political success in the region, as we were able to carry out the elections without any problems and the results were accepted'. He encouraged the diplomats to continue supporting KRG’s political process as they have done through election monitoring to ensure transparency and legitimacy as Kurdistan and Iraq continue their journey of consolidating democracy.

The minister also discussed the Kurdistan Regional Government 's policy of having friendly relations with all its neighbors includes the energy cooperation with Turkey that is set out to benefit all parties equally. “The KRG has no hidden agenda. The revenues from oil exports will go into Iraq’s national treasury,” Mr Mustafa said.

He welcomed the P5+1 Agreement with neighboring Iran and said he was hopeful for positive developments in regards to relations with Baghdad. The Minister emphasized that the KRG does not want to divide the country and it was time for Baghdad to acknowledge the KRG as a partner.

The Minister also discussed the Syrian crisis, urging for more direct assistance to the refugees as well as for the Kurds and the Kurdish Question to be discussed at the Geneva II peace talks.

The Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Azim Hossaini, who is also the dean of the diplomatic corps, thanked the DFR and Minister Mustafa on behalf of the diplomats. He said, ‘The successful holding of elections in Kurdistan and Iraq are some of the most important achievements in the Middle East.’

During the meeting, several other diplomats and representatives exchanged thoughts about the different issues Minister Mustafa had raised.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Iran, Egypt, Russia, Jordan, Palestine, the United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Romania, France, the UN and EUJUST LEX.

From the Department of Foreign Relations, the meeting was attended by Karwan Jamal, Deputy Head of DFR; Dindar Zebari, Deputy Head of DFR for International Organisations, Siham Jabali, Assistant-Head of DFR. A number of advisors, Directors-General and Directors also attended the meeting.