KRI Presidency Chief of Staff Meets British Officials to Strengthen Ties

News : 1/17/2025

United Kingdom, London, www.uk.gov.krd – Minister Fawzi Hariri, Chief of Staff at the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), accompanied by Karwan Jamal Tahir, KRG High Representative to the UK, held key meetings with senior UK officials, including Luke Pollard MP, UK Minister for the Armed Forces, to discuss critical areas of cooperation between the UK and the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting, also attended by Stephen Hitchens, British Ambassador to Iraq, covered the latest political and security developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the broader Middle East region. The discussions also focused on the critical areas of cooperation between the UK and the Kurdistan Region, including political and security developments in the region.

Minister Hariri expressed his gratitude to the UK for its continued support, particularly its military assistance and training for the Peshmerga forces. He emphasised the importance of maintaining and expanding British military support to counter ongoing security threats, including the fight against terrorism.

Minister Luke Pollard praised the Peshmerga forces for their role in safeguarding regional stability and reiterated the UK’s commitment to deepening military cooperation. He outlined plans to expand training programs for Peshmerga personnel, both in the Kurdistan Region and at British military academies, to enhance their capabilities. Minister Pollard also expressed his intention to visit the Kurdistan Region soon to explore additional avenues for strengthening bilateral ties.

In a separate meeting with Stephen Hickey, the Director of Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Minister Hariri discussed the evolving political landscape in Iraq and the broader Middle East. He emphasised the Kurdistan Region’s fulfilment of its obligations to Baghdad and called on the Iraqi federal government to honour its financial commitments to the region. Hariri also provided updates on the progress of talks between Kurdish political parties to form the next regional cabinet, expressing optimism about reaching a political agreement soon.

The talks also covered the situation in Syria, with both sides agreeing on the need for an inclusive and representative government that protects the rights of all communities and promotes peace and coexistence. Mr Hickey reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting a strong and stable Kurdistan Region, underscoring the importance of ongoing collaboration to address regional challenges.

These meetings highlight the strategic partnership between the UK and the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming their shared commitment to security, development, and deeper bilateral cooperation. Both sides agreed that continued engagement is essential to addressing the challenges posed by regional instability and promoting peace and prosperity across the whole of the Middle East.

16th January 2025
London
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office