Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received the new European Union ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Ramon Blecua and his accompanying delegation.
 
Ambassador Blecua expressed his wishes for the conduct of serious talks between Baghdad and Erbil under the supervision of the United Nations, in order to settle all the differences between the two sides. In this regard, he expressed European Union’s willingness to help in the process.
 
Prime Minister Barzani congratulated Ambassador Blecua on assuming his new position as the Head of the EU mission to Iraq.

He stressed that Kurdistan Regional Government’s stance, before and after the 25 September independence referendum, has been holding serious talks with Baghdad, stating that no problem can be resolved through tensions and violence.
 
Prime Minister Barzani said that the United Nations and the European Union, as well as other countries can play positive role in helping to lay the ground for talks between Erbil and Baghdad.

He stressed that the people of Iraqi Kurdistan expressed their will peacefully through referendum. He deemed it necessary to eliminate the obstacles on the way of holding talks and negotiations, ease the tensions and protect the stability of the region.

The two sides also discussed political development in the wider region.