Anatolii Marynts, announced his country’s decision in a meeting with the Kurdish Minister of Foreign Relations, Falah Mustafa, according to a statement published by the ministry on Tuesday.
“The Ambassador expressed his government’s desire to further broaden ties with the Kurdistan Region in various fields,” reads the statement, noting that Marynts commended President Masoud Barzani’s leadership and the Peshmerga’s contribution to the war against Islamic State (ISIS).
Mustafa welcomed the ambassador’s decision, hoping it will “be a stepping stone in establishing and broadening political, cultural, educational, and commercial ties between Kurdistan and Ukraine,” reads the statement.
They also discussed the upcoming operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS.
Mustafa also welcomed the new Consul General from France, Dominique Mas, and met with Belgian Ambassador to Iraq, on Tuesday.
Mustafa and Mas discussed the Mosul operation and “shared views on further strengthening ties in order to build a long-term partnership,” according to a statement from the KRG ministry.
Mas replaces former Consul General Alain Guépratte.
The Belgian Ambassador, Hendrik Van de Velde, and Mustafa held “fruitful talks” on relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the military, humanitarian, and political challenges associated with the upcoming Mosul operation, Mustafa stated on Twitter.
Van de Velde thanked Mustafa for “open & engaged discussions,” adding that “Together we’re defeating #Daesh and will rebuild after victory.”
Tx f v open & engaged discussions Min @FalahMustafa. Together we're defeating #Daesh and will rebuild after victory. https://t.co/flxC7EEN3V
— BE Ambassador Amman (@hendrik_velde) September 6, 2016
Ukraine, France, and Belgium are all members of the global coalition to counter ISIS.
Thirty-two countries have representative offices in the Kurdistan Region, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government.
