On his visit to Russia this week to attend the Saint Petersburg economic forum Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has met with Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss developing economic ties especially in the oil and gas sector; and the need for more collaboration on the ongoing war against terrorism.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Rudaw, “In the meeting the focus was on economic ties and developing relations between the two especially in the oil and gas sector,”
“The Middle East crisis, counter terrorism and especially the fight against ISIS was another part of their talks” she added.
The KRG delegation headed by Barzani also met with the CEO of Russia’s giant oil and gas firm Gazprom Alexander Dyukov.
A statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said that Gazprom has affirmed it will continue its investment in the oil and gas sector of the Kurdistan region, and will try to expand their field in the future.
Gazprom is currently working two blocks in the Halabja and Garmiyan region.
The KRG statement said that the Kurdish prime minister offered the Russian giant and other firms all support for investing in Kurdistan.
The KRG delegation to the Economic Forum at Saint Petersburg includes Kurdish natural resources minister Ashti Hawrami and Kirkuk governor Najmaldin Karim.
During the events Gazprom launched a new book it has funded on the Kurds and Kurdistan titled The Kurds: The Knights of the East.
The book is about “the Kurdish history, Kurdish revolutions and uprising for freedom and independence,” said the KRG. “It focuses on all aspects of Kurdish cultural, social, art and war on terror which today the Peshmerga are fighting ISIS,”
The event also included the screening of a documentary on the Kurdish war against ISIS and the role of the Peshmerga in combating the threat of terrorism along the borders of the Kurdistan Region.
Prime Minister Barzani said in a speech that the warm welcome and the book and documentary highlighting the Kurd’s life and struggle were proof of good relations between Russia and the Kurds.
Barzani’s office said that the prime minister is scheduled to meet with the Russian speaker of parliament during the visit.
