“We agreed on the importance of freedom of expression and the media as part of a healthy democratic discourse, of a vibrant civil society, of fair trials fully in line with domestic law and meeting international standards,” Josep Borrell said in a press conference with President Nechirvan Barzani.
He emphasized that free media and a fair judicial system are cornerstones of society.
The Kurdistan Region has recently come under fire for the treatment of journalists and violations of press freedoms, most notably the case of five journalists and activists sentenced to jail on security-related charges.
Barzani asked for EU support “in providing capacity building programs to strengthen our institutions” and “enhancing our administrative procedures and developing our judicial system.”
He said the Kurdistan Regional Governments (KRG) is committed to promoting shared democratic values.
LIVE: Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani holds a press conference with EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borell. https://t.co/XAV699tEGv
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) September 7, 2021
Barzani also asked for support in mitigating the effects of climate change, stating that “climate change is threatening Iraq’s security and progress.” Through EU assistance, three Kurdistan Region provinces have developed sustainable energy action plans and joined the EU Covenant of Mayors, an organization of local governments working to meet climate and energy targets.
Borrell commended the Kurdistan Region for its role in the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIS) and hosting millions of refugees and displaced Iraqis.
Borrell said the EU, which has a liaison office based in Erbil, remains committed to the global coalition against ISIS and this summer "we have expanded our advisory mission in Iraq by opening a permanent presence here in Erbil. Our team is ready to provide advice and expertise on civilian security sector reform to the Kurdistan Regional Government."
ISIS seized control of swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014. The group was declared territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019 but remains a threat on both sides of the border, carrying out bombings, hit-and-run attacks, and abductions.
Updated at 9:05 pm
