Foreign diplomats hail President Barzani’s role in cementing relations with the international community

Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Several heads of foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region have praised President Nechirvan Barzani’s role in strengthening the Region’s relations with their countries on the anniversary of Barzani’s first year of presidency. 

June 10 this year marked the first anniversary of Nechirvan Barzani assuming office as president of the Kurdistan Region. In addition to his significant role in cultivating unity among Kurdish parties in the Region, the diplomats note his cementing of good relations with the international community. 

“President Nechirvan Barzani is an essential and pivotal character in the relationship between France and the region of Kurdistan,” Olivier Decottignies, French consul general told Rudaw.

“He gave us the honor of choosing France as his first country to visit as the president back in July 2019.  This was an important visit that strengthened our relationship with Kurdistan,” Decottignies noted.


South Korea and the Region have enjoyed good relations for 15 years, with the former providing aid during different stages of their 15-year relations.  

Choi Kwang-Jin, Korean consul general in Erbil, told Rudaw that there have been “ups and downs” in the Kurdistan Region during Barzani’s tenure as president, but “he showed his strong determination and willingness to keep this Region and [its] people safe.”

The Korean diplomat added that his country has enjoyed good relations with the Kurdistan Region, and Barzani had “a very good, fruitful and constructive discussion with Korean Special Presidential Envoy and laid a very strong foundation between Korea and Kurdistan.”  


Kurdistan Region is experiencing an economic crisis and combating COVID-19.  Ni Ruchi, Chinese consul general in Erbil, told Rudaw that the Region, under Barzani’s leadership, will “overcome all difficulties and challenges in the future.”

He also thanked Barzani “his part in promoting the relationship between China and Kurdistan Region.”


James Thornton, UK consul general in Erbil, also congratulated Barzani. 

“I send my congratulations to Mr Nechirvan Barzani on the anniversary of his election as the President of Kurdistan Region,” he said. 

Michal Svoboda, the consul-general of the Czech Republic in Erbil, also talked to Rudaw about the President's year in office.

Barzani is "playing a very important role. He is a guarantor of a democratic system and security. Also, as part of a system of checks and balances, he is also a bridge between executive, legislative, and judicial powers," said the diplomat.