President Nechirvan Barzani received the Ambassador of the European Union to Iraq, Mr. Ville Varjola, and the Deputy Head of Mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq, Ms. Anne Meskanen, in Erbil on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on a number of critical issues including the latest developments in Iraq and the challenges facing the political process in the country, the recent missile attack on Erbil, and the ongoing efforts to build the next Iraqi government. Discussions also covered the presence and contributions of the EU in different areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and their mutual partnerships, the issues of migration, the migrants and the human rights and liberties, as well as the conflict in Ukraine and its implications.

Ambassador Varjola presented a brief overview of the EU’s work and role in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and their future working plans. The Ambassador reiterated the EU’s willingness to develop relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, to empower the country’s institutions, its management, reconstruction, investment sectors, and banking system.

The Deputy Head of the EU Mission in Iraq, Ms. Anne Meskanen expressed the EU mission’s readiness to provide support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Ms. Mescanen said the mission is willing to offer assistance in civil services with the Kurdistan Region benefiting from the EU mission’s contributions which include the EU’s work in many areas including how to address organized crimes, illegal migration, historical sights, crisis management, gender issues, the judiciary and other branches.

The President thanked the position of the European Union and its statement regarding the recent missile attacks on Erbil, reiterating the importance of EU’s presence and role in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, which can provide support in many areas, especially in promoting democracy, human rights, reform process, the judiciary and many other areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region which need assistance.