Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Alistair Burt, British Secretary of State for the Middle East and International Development and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting was also attended by Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani.

The delegation highly appreciated the steps taken by the Kurdistan Regional Government to normalize the relations with Baghdad and launch trust-building process between the two sides. They expressed hope for further talks to solve all outstanding issues.

They deemed it essential that all the parties, particularly the Kurdish parties, play their role in the formation of a broad-based government after the elections.

They stressed that Britain attaches great importance to its relations with the Kurdistan Region, especially in the areas of military assistance to the Peshmerga forces, and economic development.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the British government for its military and humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region and its role in paving the way for the talks between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi federal government.

He welcomed UK’s interest in the stability and security of Iraq as well as the economic development, for which he expressed his government’s readiness to provide necessary assistance.

Prime Minister Barzani stressed that it is essential that the coalition countries, including Britain, support the implementation of reform policies in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The upcoming elections in Iraq and the situation in Kurdistan and the greater region were also discussed.