Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (dfr.gov.krd/cabinet.gov.krd) - The Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations made a statement, clarifying Kurdistan Region’s stance regarding the International Conference of the Coalition to Counter the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, which was held today in Paris.

Following is the text of the statement:

The Counter-ISIL Coalition Small Group Ministerial meeting is being held today in Paris with the participation of Ministers from 20 countries to review the progress on the full range of international efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL and to discuss the latest security developments in Iraq and Syria.

The Paris meeting is being held at a time when the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces are at the frontline of the fight against ISIL. Our brave Peshmergas have proven that ISIL is not an invincible force and have been able to inflict heavy casualties on the terrorists. It is known, both, internally and internationally that the most effective force fighting ISIL terrorists on the ground and in a direct manner are the Peshmerga.

After the previous conferences, we had expected the Iraqi Federal Government and members of the Counter ISIL Coalition to express appreciation to the sacrifices made by the Kurdistan Region and its Peshmerga by inviting a representative of the Kurdistan Region to the meetings of Counter ISIL Coalition as part of the Iraqi delegation. The international community must recognize the role of Kurdistan Region in fighting the ISIL terrorists, in addition to caring for over 1.5 million refugees and internally displaced persons.

During the last few days, we have made concerted efforts to convince the offices of the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite a representative of the Kurdistan Region to the meeting as part of the Iraqi delegation. Unfortunately, the Iraqi Government refused our request.

We express the dissatisfaction of the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region with the Iraqi government for excluding the Kurdistan Region from the Paris meeting despite calls from the counter ISIL coalition members to have the Region represented in the Iraqi delegation. We reiterate that the Kurdistan Region, according to Article 105 of the Iraqi Constitution has the right to have its representative at international gatherings to convey the views of the Kurdistan Region leadership.