ERBIL — Kurdish prominent leader and former president of Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, received on Tuesday the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian and his accompanying delegation in Erbil.

The pair discussed the current political situations in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the latest developments concerning the war against the Islamic State (IS).

“President Barzani began the meeting by warmly welcoming Minister Le Drian to the Kurdistan Region and took advantage of the opportunity to thank the people and government of France for their support to the Kurdistan Region. The President made reference to the fact that the French government was supportive of the Kurdistan Region during some of the most challenging times in our recent history,” according to a statement on Barzani’s official website.

Le Drian welcomed Barzani’s recent visit to Baghdad which paved the path for improving the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi central government.

Barzani reiterated his support for the new government in Baghdad led by PM Adil Abdul-Mahdi “in pursuit of the mutual benefit for the people of Kurdistan Region and Iraq”.

Discussing the recent developments in Syria was also on the agenda. Barzani and Le Drian agreed that the Kurds in Syria should not pay for the political agreements between the various powers involved in Syria.

Le Drian held meetings earlier with Kurdistan PM Nechirvan Barzani and Chancellor of Kurdistan Region Security Council Masrour Barzani.

Bas News