President Barzani, new Dutch consul discuss bilateral ties
ERBIL, Kurdistan region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Adriaan IJsselstein on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and regional developments.
“President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Mr. Adriaan IJsselstein, the new Consul General of the Netherlands in the Kurdistan Region. He conveyed his strong support for Mr. IJsselstein's diplomatic efforts and emphasized the Kurdistan Region's commitment to enhancing its relationship with the Netherlands,” said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
During the meeting, IJsselstein expressed Amsterdam’s desire to strengthen relations with Erbil and to collaborate across several sectors.
Barzani and IJsselstein discussed the latest regional developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider region, according to the statement.
The Netherlands has been actively involved in the Kurdistan Region. As a member of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Amsterdam has helped to lead and implement a Peshmerga reform plan.
It is also collaborating with the Kurdistan Region’s private sector to prepare young people for the job market through education, highlighting projects such as “Co-create Your City.”
Western countries have encouraged initiatives to professionalize, train, and most importantly unify the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces. Despite their recent success and cooperation with the anti-ISIS coalition, many units are politically aligned.
Last month, Barzani received Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Erbil, discussing Amsterdam’s contribution in the anti-ISIS fight and bilateral ties.
“President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Mr. Adriaan IJsselstein, the new Consul General of the Netherlands in the Kurdistan Region. He conveyed his strong support for Mr. IJsselstein's diplomatic efforts and emphasized the Kurdistan Region's commitment to enhancing its relationship with the Netherlands,” said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
During the meeting, IJsselstein expressed Amsterdam’s desire to strengthen relations with Erbil and to collaborate across several sectors.
Barzani and IJsselstein discussed the latest regional developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider region, according to the statement.
The Netherlands has been actively involved in the Kurdistan Region. As a member of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Amsterdam has helped to lead and implement a Peshmerga reform plan.
It is also collaborating with the Kurdistan Region’s private sector to prepare young people for the job market through education, highlighting projects such as “Co-create Your City.”
Western countries have encouraged initiatives to professionalize, train, and most importantly unify the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces. Despite their recent success and cooperation with the anti-ISIS coalition, many units are politically aligned.
Last month, Barzani received Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Erbil, discussing Amsterdam’s contribution in the anti-ISIS fight and bilateral ties.