Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström, and Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, along with their accompanied delegation.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, the Swedish delegation commended the Peshmerga forces for their achievements and courage in protecting the people of Kurdistan and the world against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS.

Sweden Foreign Minister Wallström said they are visiting to show support for the Kurdistan Region in all its endeavors, noting that Swedish military officers are training Peshmerga forces, and they have found themselves among friends.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for the Swedish delegation’s important visit, saying the people and Government of the Kurdistan Region have a special relation with the Swedish people and their government. He pointed to Sweden’s receiving and assisting scores of refuge seekers from Kurdistan in the past during hard times.

He stressed strengthening bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Sweden.

The situation in the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular were also discussed in the meeting.