MÉS GRAAAN ENCARA!

La visita del Ministre d'Afers Exteriors del Govern Regional Kurdistan Meridional a Catalunya, ha passat força desapercebuda pels mitjans catalans, de manera incomprensible. D'ella en parlaré amb més detall en un proper post. De moment, us deixo aquesta magnífica foto extreta del web Kurdistan24, on sí que es parla de forma desacomplexada.

KRG Minister calls on Catalan Parliament to recognize ISIS crimes as genocide

Barcelona, (dfr.gov.krd)- Minister Falah Mustafa delivered a speech to the Parliament Intergroup for the Collective Rights of People of the Parliament of Catalonia to brief them about the history of Kurdistan and the challenges and opportunities facing the Kurdistan Regional Government. 

Minister Mustafa spoke in detail of the history of the Kurdistan Region outlining the complexity of the situation in the region and the difficulties facing ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East. The minister also pointed out that since the beginning of Syria crisis, the Kurdistan Region has become a safe haven for members of different ethnic and religious groups fleeing ISIS brutality. 

The minister called on the parliament of Catalonia to recognize the ISIS crimes committed against Yezidis, Christians and others as acts of genocide. Following the speech, the Minister answered questions from the parliament members, NGO representatives and other participants regarding developments in Kurdistan and the broader region. 

INDEPENDENCE IS NOT A PROBLEM, IS A SOLUTION, Minister Falah Mustafa at CIDOB

Barcelona, Catalonia, (dfr.gov.org) – Minister Falah Mustafa presented a seminar at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB), a leading Spanish think tank, to address the Middle East Geopolitics, Europe’s role and insight from the Kurdistan Region.

The seminar was attended by diplomats, government officials and academics. The Minister gave a brief introduction about the history of Kurdistan and challenges and achievements the region has witnessed throughout the history. Minister Mustafa also shed light on the current situation in Kurdistan including the political and economic challenges, the ongoing fight against ISIS, humanitarian efforts of KRG in caring for 1.8 million refugees and displaced persons.

Minister Mustafa underlined Kurdistan’s problems with Iraq assuring that military cooperation against ISIS is the only area of cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad. The Minister said “KRG tried different political systems and signed different agreements with Baghdad to keep Iraq united but all failed because Baghdad does not implement them. Independence is the only solution and a legitimate right for the Kurdistani people.”

Minister Mustafa, also highlighted the great role Europe has played to support Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS and in providing humanitarian assistance, and stressed the importance of Europe’s contribution in supporting the process of democracy, institution building and conducting referendum in the Kurdistan Region.

The Minister was accompanied by the KRG representative to Spain, Daban Shadala. A question and answer session followed, and participants had the opportunity to ask specific questions of the minister.

KURDISTAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS CATALAN DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN RELATIONS*

Minister Falah Mustafa met with Ms. Marina Falco, Director of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Catalan Government  to discuss establishing bilateral relation.

During the meeting Minister Mustafa gave an overview of the history of the Kurdistan Region, as well as the financial, humanitarian and security challenges facing the KRG. The Minister also highlighted KRG’s views on post ISIS Iraq and Kurdistan’s decision to conduct a referendum on independence.

Both sides exchanged views on areas of potential cooperation between Catalonia and Kurdistan, and expressed their interest in building a long-term partnership in areas of tourism, sport, agriculture, women empowerment, and capacity building programs.

Ms. Falco emphasized that the Catalan government recognizes the important role played by the KRG in restoring regional stability and the war on ISIS. She expressed her government’s willingness to cooperate with KRG in different fields.

Both sides agreed to prepare a memorandum of understanding as a stepping stone in building and broadening bilateral cooperation.

The KRG Representative to Spain Mr. Daban Shadala also attended the meeting.

*(NOTE: From here, 09.05.2017)