Boris Johnson receives PM Barzani in London

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received his Kurdish counterpart Masrour Barzani in London on Tuesday, discussing bilateral relations. 

“It’s great to see PM @BorisJohnson today to talk about the untapped potential of our strong partnership. I thanked him for his friendship with the people of the Kurdistan Region and leadership in the region,” Barzani said in a tweet. 

“We share a common agenda - a longing to see all of Iraq do better,” he added. 

According to a statement by Johnson's office, both leaders "highlighted the strength of their relationship, recognising the UK’s deep ties with the Kurdish people. They noted the significant opportunities for greater partnerships across trade and investment."

"Prime Minister Barzani spoke about his aspiration to export energy to Europe, and the Prime Minister lauded his efforts to help reduce Western reliance on Russian oil and gas," it added. 

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani arrived in London on Monday to meet with the country’s top officials. He also met with Amanda Milling, UK’s Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East, on Tuesday. 

“Constructive exchange with @amandamilling on the benefits of success between Erbil and Baghdad and the dangers of failure. The UK can help move that dialogue forward - as a trusted partner in both capitals. That starts with us looking inwards and uniting behind a single banner,” Barzani said in a separate tweet. 

The UK has helped train the Kurdish Peshmerga during the war on the Islamic State (ISIS) and is part of a team of international allies working on major reforms of the Peshmerga ministry. 

The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades. Former British premier Sir John Major played a key role in declaring a no-fly zone in the north of Iraq, providing a safe haven from the Baath regime that allowed Kurds to gain some autonomy. An Erbil street was named after him in April 2021. 

 

Updated at 08:35 pm