Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received a delegation from the European Union Mission to Iraq led by Mr. Constantinos Vardakiz, acting Head of the EU Mission to Iraq and Head of the EU Office in the Kurdistan Region, along with representatives assigned to the Kurdistan Region by EU member states.

The EU delegation noted with great concern the current financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region and expressed hope it will be resolved with the minimum of further delay.

The delegation expressed support of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts toward resolving internal differences and addressing the current crisis. In this regard, in the interests of all the people of the Kurdistan Region, they informed their programme includes meetings with all political parties to encourage unity.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the European Union for its support in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, and for humanitarian assistance to nearly two million refugees and internally displaced persons. He noted that the Region’s capacity to meet the costs of the war against ISIS, compounded by the costs of assistance being provided to refuges and IDPs, have been greatly worsened by Baghdad withholding the agreed share of national revenue since February 2014 along with the sharp decrease in global oil prices.

He informed that the KRG has begun to implement measures to address the financial crisis and noted that in this regard technical assistance from the international community is welcomed, particularly from the EU. Toward resolving the financial crisis, he also informed that the KRG is taking measures toward reforming administrative structures and systems.

Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed the KRG’s commitment to dialogue and negotiation in resolving internal issues and those with Baghdad.

Prime Minister Barzani also noted that regarding the right to self-determination a referendum will be conducted in the Kurdistan Region and the results will be presented to Baghdad in a spirit of peaceful discussion.