British Foreign Secretary in Erbil: You will not be alone in your fight
The Foreign Secretary expressed his pleasure in arriving in the Kurdistan Region and noted the positive reaction in Baghdad as a result of the Kurdistan Region's decision to participate in the new Iraqi Government. He said that as the Kurdish ministers go to Baghdad, it will help ensure that the right approach is adopted towards problems and obstacles that exist between Baghdad and Erbil.
Secretary Hammond, on behalf of the United Kingdom, commended the government and the people of the Kurdistan Region for receiving and sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people from the rest of Iraq and refugees from Syria, despite very limited resources. He stressed the need for the international community to provide further aid, adding that the United Kingdom would increase humanitarian assistance, particularly as winter is approaching.
Regarding the war against the ISIS terrorists, the Foreign Secretary described the role of the Peshmerga forces in confronting ISIS as heroic, noting that they were able to repel the threat posed to the Kurdistan Region and regain several areas that the terrorists had occupied. He stated that the United Kingdom would continue to work closely with its allies to ensure the delivery of aid, military support, and training for the Peshmerga forces so that they are better equipped to tackle and defeat the terrorists.
Secretary Hammond also commented on bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the Kurdistan Region, reflecting his country's interest in developing and consolidating the relationship acros all sectors. He added that this matter had been discussed with Prime Minister Barzani during his last trip to the United Kingdom. He highlighted the importance of continued cooperation to commence direct flights between London and Erbil, adding that they will work to complete this initiative in a way that suits both parties.
On behalf of the government and people of Kurdistan, Prime Minister Barzani expressed his appreciation for the actions of the United Kingdom, as it has provided humanitarian and military assistance. He thanked the British Parliament for supporting the decision to provide Kurdistan with this assistance, emphasising the need for more help in combating the terrorists and providing aid for more than 1.5 million displaced people from Iraq and refugees from Syria sheltered in the Kurdistan Region. He explained that the Region is in dire need of international humanitarian assistance, as the influx of civilians is expected to increase with the arrival of refugees from Kobane and displaced people from the rest of Iraq.
The Prime Minister discussed the Kurdistan Region's decision to send its ministers to Baghdad to participate in Prime Minister Abadi's government, as well as expressing his government's support for the Iraqi Prime Minister and the new cabinet. He explained that after the ministers begin their duties in Baghdad, a delegation from the Kurdistan Region will visit the capital to hold talks on outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary held a joint press conference after the meeting to publicly discuss a number of the issues that had been raised in the meeting. During the press conference, Foreign Secretary Hammond said, "I would like to assure you that you will not be alone in your fight against ISIS." Prime Minister Barzani expressed his government's gratitude to the international community, but added that the Kurdistan Region is in need of heavy weaponry, such as anti-tank weapons and helicopters. He said that the KRG must have advanced military equipment to defeat ISIS, as the terrorists already possess such equipment.
