President Nechirvan Barzani received Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean Asselborn today in Erbil.

Discussions focused on a wide range of topics including the latest political developments in Iraq ahead of today’s parliamentary session in Baghdad, Erbil-Baghdad relations and the ongoing talks to resolve the pending differences. They also discussed the situation of the Yezidis, the conditions in Shingal district, the status of the communities in Nineveh Province, and the conditions of the refugees and the displaced people in the Kurdistan Region.

On the Erbil-Baghdad issues, President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated that the key to peace and stability in Iraq is to find a lasting solution to the disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s federal government. The President underlined that both sides should find solutions on the bases of dialogue and the constitution.

Foreign Minister Asselborn referred to the hardships and challenges of the war against ISIS at the time in the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming the support of his country, and that of other countries in Europe, to the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Asselborn reaffirmed that his country attaches importance to the status of communities in Iraq, especially the situation of the Yezidis and referred to his plans to visit their camps.

Discussions also included the war in Ukraine. The President said that the people of the Kurdistan Region are well aware of the sufferings and destructions that wars can bring about, expressing the Kurdistan Region’s sympathies for the people of Ukraine and the victims of the war. The President hoped that the war comes to a conclusion and that all sides resolve their issues through dialogue.

Other topics of discussion were the Vienna meetings and the nuclear talks, the situation in Syria and its ramifications, and the latest developments in the wider region.