President Barzani receives UK Ambassador for farewell visit

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received the outgoing British ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, on Sunday for a farewell visit, according to the Kurdistan Region’s presidency.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude for the ambassador's “efforts in strengthening ties between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” recognizing his “important role in promoting cooperation across different sectors,” read a statement by the Kurdistan Region presidency.

For his part, Hitchen was quoted as expressing gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government for its cooperation and reaffirmed the United Kingdom's “ongoing commitment to supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all its aspects.”

The meeting also touched on the UK's relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

The UK played a pivotal role in training the Kurdish Peshmerga during the 2014 war against the Islamic State (ISIS) and continues to be part of an global coalition working on significant reforms within the Peshmerga ministry.

Currently, up to 1,400 British troops are stationed in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, providing military assistance and advisory to both the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.

In 1991, former British premier Sir John Major played a key role in establishing a no-fly zone in northern Iraq, which provided a safe haven for Kurds from the Baathist regime and helped facilitate their autonomy. In recognition of his contribution, an Erbil street was named after him in April 2021.

The United Kingdom maintains strong military and security relations with Iraq and signed a Strategic Partnership in 2021 to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including the economy, education, and culture.