Erbil, Kurdistan Region - A high-level UK military delegation met with Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday to discuss security cooperation and the ongoing reform of the Peshmerga forces.

The delegation, led by Air Marshal Sammy Sampson, the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa, was also joined by Ms. Rosey Cave, the UK Consul General in the Kurdistan Region.

During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of the reorganization and unification of the Peshmerga and the reforms of the Ministry of Peshmerga. They also discussed the security situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and the need for joint security cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The President thanked the UK and other friendly countries for their support and assistance in the reform process, and expressed his hope that the process will be conducted in a more efficient manner.

The guest delegation reiterated that the UK attaches great importance to the peace and stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and will continue to provide security assistance and support to maintain peace and stability in the country. They also pledged to continue to support the reform process and the reunification of the Peshmerga.

The situation in the wider region and other issues of common interest were also discussed at the meeting.

The meeting comes at a time when the Kurdistan Region is facing a number of security challenges, including the ongoing threat from ISIS, the presence of Iranian-backed militias, and the ongoing dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government in Baghdad over oil and budget.

The UK has been a long-standing supporter of the Kurdistan Region, and the meeting between President Barzani and the UK military delegation is a sign of the close cooperation between the two sides.