.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani separately received France’s newly appointed Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, Emmanuel Mignot, in Erbil on Sunday, reaffirming the longstanding ties between France and the Kurdistan Region.
During his meeting with Mignot, President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated the new consul general and expressed the Kurdistan Region institutions’ “full readiness” to support and facilitate his work, according to a statemen from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. He also reiterated the Region’s gratitude for France’s “enduring friendly relations” and continued support for the people of Kurdistan.
Mignot, for his part, said he was pleased to begin his new mission in the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening its "longstanding relations with the Kurdistan Region and expanding bilateral cooperation across various fields."
Mignot also met with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who congratulated him on assuming his new post and pledged the Kurdistan Regional Government’s “full support” for the success of his mission.
The French diplomat outlined plans to further advance relations between France and the Kurdistan Region and discussed preparations for the construction of a new building for the French Consulate General in Erbil.
In an inaugural video message on Saturday, Mignot paid tribute to the victims of the February 1, 2004 attacks in Erbil, which targeted two Kurdish political party offices and killed dozens of people.
“I wished to pay tribute to the victims of the attack of February 1, 2004, committed by Islamist fanatics,” Mignot said.
He also thanked the Kurds for "the major role" they played in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and for "religious tolerance."
“Both the French and the Kurds have been victims of terrorism, and we are determined to fight it.”
Mignot also highlighted the historical foundations of Franco-Kurdish relations, pointing to a monument in Erbil commemorating former French President Charles de Gaulle.
“France and Kurdistan have excellent relations, which are long-standing, as shown by this monument in memory of General de Gaulle, who received a letter from Mustafa Barzani back in 1968 drawing attention to the situation of the Kurds here,” he said.
“Relations between Kurdistan and France are excellent, and we intend to continue developing them across many areas,” Mignot added.
The relationship between France and the Kurds stretches back decades. De Gaulle’s favorable response to a request from Kurdish leader Mulla Mustafa Barzani and the later advocacy of former French first lady Danielle Mitterrand were among pivotal episodes in the evolution of Franco-Kurdish ties.
Mitterrand, who was affectionately known as the “Mother of the Kurds,” advocated for the establishment of a no-fly zone over the Kurdistan Region following the 1991 Gulf War and inaugurated the Region’s first parliament in 1992.
France was also among the first countries to establish a consulate in Erbil following the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Paris has since remained a key partner of the Kurdistan Region, providing political, diplomatic and military support, particularly during the campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
France’s relationship with the Kurdistan Region has also extended into civil society and development initiatives, including cooperation in education, youth empowerment and support for vulnerable groups.
