ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - France is working toward a new defense cooperation agreement with Iraq that would include the Kurdistan Region, with advanced French-supplied radar equipment expected to contribute to protecting Kurdish airspace, France's Consul General in Erbil Emmanuel Mignot told Rudaw in an interview.
Speaking to Rudaw's Nma Nabaz on October 15, Mignot said Paris considers the Kurdistan Region an important “pillar of stability and security” and remains committed to cooperation with Kurdish forces following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition mission.
The French diplomat explained that discussions between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in mid-September addressed the future of bilateral relations, including defense cooperation.
"The idea now is to move toward a new defense coordination agreement that would help us, including Kurdistan, address the new security challenges after September 30," he said.
The remarks come amid concerns over the Kurdistan Region's ability to defend its airspace amid ongoing drone attacks since the US-Iran war began in late February and aerial threats following changes to the international coalition's military presence.
French radar to contribute to Kurdistan's air defense
Mignot acknowledged the challenges facing both Erbil and Baghdad, saying that they are “very conscious that Kurdistan has an air defense challenge. I think it's an Iraqi challenge also," he said.
The consul general confirmed that France has already delivered “very effective radars to Iraq" which is "also contributing to protecting Kurdistan."
He added that France hopes to "revive" its longstanding defense cooperation with the Iraqi air force, emphasizing that strengthening Iraq's sovereignty remains a priority for French President Emmanuel Macron.
"The idea is to revive that kind of cooperation for the sake of the security of Iraq," he said.
Continued cooperation with Peshmerga
Mignot reaffirmed France's longstanding military partnership with the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces. “We are ... brothers-in-arms, we fought together against Daesh since 2014," he said.
"This has created very strong ties. So, we need to define the new type of cooperation we want to address the threat as is now," he added.
On threats posed by ISIS remnants, particularly in Kirkuk and other disputed territories, Mignot expressed confidence that “the KRG and Peshmerga are able to address this challenge primarily,” adding that they “they have shown their capacities."
France reaffirms support for Rojava
Mignot said that France remains committed to maintaining relations with the Kurdish population of northeast Syria (Rojava), welcoming "ongoing dialogue" between Kurdish-led forces and the Syrian government to establish a "robust government."
"We've been trying to accompany the creation of a new Syrian government," he said, noting that "President Sharaa is taking this very seriously ... there is a dialogue on cultural issues."
"Now, General Mazloum [Abdi] has an official position in Damascus. he is able to talk with President [Ahmad] Sharaa about these issues" Mignot said, referring to the now-dissolved Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The French diplomat also welcomed the security situation in Rojava, saying, "we have a peaceful northeastern Syria. I thin it's is in the interest of all countries of the region, and that's a very good development."
"Of course, we will maintain our relations with the people of northeastern Syria," he added.
