UK consul general David Hunt speaking to Rudaw's Hawraz Gulpy in November 2022. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom share a long-standing friendship and relations between the two sides are “very strong,” the UK’s consul general to Erbil told Rudaw last week, highlighting his country’s commitment to supporting the Region in the fields of trade, oil and gas, climate change, and security.
“The relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom is a very strong one,” David Hunt, the UK consul general to Erbil told Rudaw’s Hawraz Gulpy, adding that “it is a deep and enduring relationship, and it is one that I think we have really been able to build and really further during my time here… I think this relationship has gone from strength to strength, and it is relationship that matters to the United Kingdom.”
The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades.
President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani in September attended the funeral of late UK monarch Queen Elizabeth II at the official invitation of the country.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani traveled to London in an official visit in April, meeting with top British officials, including then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Hunt noted that there was “plenty of potential” to further expand trade relations between the UK and the Kurdistan Region considering the long-standing friendship between the two sides, adding that they are working on bringing a UK university to the Region.
The UK consul said that they have been closely monitoring the oil and gas dispute between Erbil and Baghdad, urging the two governments to engage in dialogue in search of resolution.
“What we have always tried to encourage is a dialogue whereby an equitable solution can be found so that both governments in Baghdad and in Erbil continue to develop their energy sectors in such a way that, you know, supports a good relationship between the governments.”
Calls for drafting a joint oil and gas law between Erbil and Baghdad have resurfaced since the formation of the new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, after a ruling from Iraq’s top court in February deeming the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas law “unconstitutional” escalated tensions between the KRG and the federal government.
Hunt also highlighted the efforts made by the UK to help the Kurdistan Region in battling the effects of climate change, saying that they are engaging with policymakers in the Region to support decision-making when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and tackling the impact of the climate crisis.
Iraq is the fifth-most vulnerable nation in the world to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN.
At least ten dust storms engulfed the Kurdistan Region and Iraq from March to June, resulting in hundreds hospitalized across the country for breathing difficulties.
The UK has also been a major military ally to the Kurdistan Region throughout the years, including the battle against the Islamic State (ISIS), which is one Hunt says the UK remains committed to.
“This is a long-term security partnership and relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom, so, you know, we are committed for the long-term in that we know our objectives are fully aligned,” said Hunt.
In 1991, former British premier Sir John Major played a key role in declaring a no-fly zone in the north of Iraq, providing a safe haven from the Baathist regime that allowed Kurds to gain some autonomy. An Erbil street was named after him in April 2021.
“The relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom is a very strong one,” David Hunt, the UK consul general to Erbil told Rudaw’s Hawraz Gulpy, adding that “it is a deep and enduring relationship, and it is one that I think we have really been able to build and really further during my time here… I think this relationship has gone from strength to strength, and it is relationship that matters to the United Kingdom.”
The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades.
President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani in September attended the funeral of late UK monarch Queen Elizabeth II at the official invitation of the country.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani traveled to London in an official visit in April, meeting with top British officials, including then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Hunt noted that there was “plenty of potential” to further expand trade relations between the UK and the Kurdistan Region considering the long-standing friendship between the two sides, adding that they are working on bringing a UK university to the Region.
The UK consul said that they have been closely monitoring the oil and gas dispute between Erbil and Baghdad, urging the two governments to engage in dialogue in search of resolution.
“What we have always tried to encourage is a dialogue whereby an equitable solution can be found so that both governments in Baghdad and in Erbil continue to develop their energy sectors in such a way that, you know, supports a good relationship between the governments.”
Calls for drafting a joint oil and gas law between Erbil and Baghdad have resurfaced since the formation of the new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, after a ruling from Iraq’s top court in February deeming the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas law “unconstitutional” escalated tensions between the KRG and the federal government.
Hunt also highlighted the efforts made by the UK to help the Kurdistan Region in battling the effects of climate change, saying that they are engaging with policymakers in the Region to support decision-making when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and tackling the impact of the climate crisis.
Iraq is the fifth-most vulnerable nation in the world to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN.
At least ten dust storms engulfed the Kurdistan Region and Iraq from March to June, resulting in hundreds hospitalized across the country for breathing difficulties.
The UK has also been a major military ally to the Kurdistan Region throughout the years, including the battle against the Islamic State (ISIS), which is one Hunt says the UK remains committed to.
“This is a long-term security partnership and relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom, so, you know, we are committed for the long-term in that we know our objectives are fully aligned,” said Hunt.
In 1991, former British premier Sir John Major played a key role in declaring a no-fly zone in the north of Iraq, providing a safe haven from the Baathist regime that allowed Kurds to gain some autonomy. An Erbil street was named after him in April 2021.
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