“On Sunday … this handover occurred, and Safeen Dizayee assumed the task of the head of Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations,” Mustafa told Rudaw on Sunday.
The head of the DFR is the Kurdistan Region’s top diplomat, serving as the government’s liaison to foreign counterparts.
Mustafa had led the DFR since its foundation in September 2006. The DFR has 14 foreign representations which are diplomatically recognized through the Iraqi government. Additionally around 40 foreign countries and intergovernmental entities such as the European Union and United Nations organs have representations or trade missions in Erbil and Sulaimani.
“Serving the people of Kurdistan Region as Head of KRG DFR for the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my life. I want to thank my family & colleagues DFR KRG for their tremendous support. I congratulate my successor & dear friend Safeen Dizayee & wish him all the best,” Mustafa tweeted.
Dizayee previously served as the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) representative to Turkey from 1992 to 2003. He also served as a top advisor to Nechirvan Barzani’s prime ministry during multiple recent crises including the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS) group, a global drop in oil prices, the hosting of 1.8 million IDPs and refugees, and budget disputes with multiple governments in Baghdad.
“I would like to thank Safeen Dizayee for serving as my chief of staff in the 8th cabinet, who began his new duty as the head of KRG_DFR today & I would also like to thank his predecessor Falah Mustafa for his dedication in promoting Kurdistan’s foreign policy over the years,” Barzani, now the president of the Kurdistan Region, said in a tweet.
In June, Nechirvan Barzani was sworn in as the president. In July, Masrour Barzani took the reins of government as the new prime minister.
Few, except for politicians like KRG deputy PM Qubad Talabani, have kept their posts amid cabinet reshuffling. Additionally, with Nechirvan Barzani filling the post of presidency which had been vacant since November 2017, others now have positions in the head of state’s office.
Long-serving Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami has become the Assistant to the Prime Minister for Energy Affairs.
Translation by Mohammed Rwanduzy
