KRG High Representative participates in the launch of a report on KRG_UK relations
News : 6/23/2023
United
Kingdom, London, UK Parliament, www.uk.gov.krd. Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum and AUDRE International organised
a meeting in the Parliament to launch a report regarding the mutual relations
between the Kurdistan Region and the UK 20 years after the liberation of Iraq.
In the
event which was attended by the High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional
Government to the UK, a number of politicians, diplomats, journalists, representatives
of several of British companies and research centers, Dr. Burjo Ozgijel the chair of the Middle East and North Africa Forum and Charles
Blackmer president of the AUDERI Center briefed the attendees on the results of their research related to the
relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom. Both explained
the content of the report to the audience while thanking the Rudaw Research
Center which sponsored the project.
The preparations
for the report consisted of a two-day workshop at the University of Cambridge where
a number of academics, experts and researchers presented researches, analysed
the obstacles, discussed the political process in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and
the issues they are facing, also the impact of Britain and the allies on the
situation in Iraq and the Region 20 years after the liberation. The other phase
of the preparation of the report was several meetings conducted by Dr. Ozgijel in
Kurdistan Region with the formal and non-formal relevant departments in Kurdistan
Region.
Karwan
Jamal Tahir Kurdistan Regional Government High Representative to the UK thanked
all parties for preparing the academic report which
includes several important recommendations. He said that the Kurdish people and
the Kurdish liberation movement struggled for democracy for Iraq and freedom
for the people of Kurdistan, and after the collapse of Saddam’s regime, the
Kurds participated in the state-building for Iraq and the nation-building for
the Kurdistan Region with the aim of building a federal, democratic, and
pluralistic state. "Unfortunately, our efforts to build a state and citizenship
have faced a number of internal challenges and external influences, resulting
in becoming one of the biggest obstacles to stability in the entire
country." Said Karwan Jamal Taher.
The High Representative
also said that the relations with the UK have a long history, and in most
stages, the UK has been supportive to Kurdistan. He added that because of the
UK’s historical position and strong influence, it can play more effective role
in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and take the lead in resolving the problems
between Erbil and Baghdad. In his speech the Karwan Jamal Taher emphasised on
the aspects of defence, security, reform process and education which the UK
plays a leading role in cooperation with the Kurdistan Region.
At the
event a number of recommendations were suggested by the audience, and the
participants described Kurdistan Region as a strong and influential actor in
the region's political arena and highlighted the region's achievements in all
fields, including democracy, freedom, human rights, coexistence, and the establishment
of government institutions, and became the a symbol of freedom and coexistence
in the Middle East. They stressed that Britain should pay more attention to its
relations with the Kurdistan Region, treat it as a key ally in the region, and play a
greater role in supporting the security and the development of the Region.
London, UK
parliament
23rd June 2023