During a meeting between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Coordinator for International Advocacy Dindar Zebari and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren on Tuesday, the EU envoy expressed interest in a future visit to Erbil to advance cooperation.

“I held a constructive meeting with EU Special Representative for Human Rights at EEAS [European External Action Service] in Brussels to review KRG’s human rights progress and priority security issues. Engagement highlighted importance of deepening cooperation to advance stability, and shared strategic interests,” Zebari posted on X.

The meeting was attended by Delavar Ajgeiy, head of Erbil’s mission to the EU.During the meeting, EU Special Representative Ollongren welcomed the delegation, congratulated the KRG on the recent parliamentary elections, and highlighted the strong and constructive efforts she has observed between Erbil and Baghdad. She emphasized that the Kurdistan Region remains one of the most stable parts of Iraq and expressed her readiness to expand cooperation.

Zebari provided a comprehensive overview of the Kurdistan Region’s progress in human rights, governance, and security. He noted the KRG’s achievements in women’s empowerment: over 30% women in parliament, more than 69 women judges, and hundreds of women police officers, as well as legislation protecting women from domestic violence.

The meeting also addressed ongoing security challenges, including drone and missile attacks, militant groups’ interference in disputed territories such as Sinjar, and recent strikes on energy infrastructure. 

Zebari stressed that the KRG’s stability contributes directly to regional and European security, particularly through its measures preventing extremist infiltration and cross-border criminal activity.

EU Special Representative Ollongren praised the KRG as an exemplary and constructive partner in Iraq and noted many areas where the EEAS and the KRG could collaborate more closely. 

The EU envoy expressed strong interest in establishing a more structured dialogue mechanism between EEAS and the KRG’s Office of the Coordinator for International Advocacy and welcomed the idea of a future visit to Erbil to further advance cooperation. 

The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to follow up on these discussions, signaling an important step toward deepening EU-KRG engagement on human rights, governance, and regional stability.

Additionally, Zebari held productive discussions with Member of the European Parliament Ozlem Demirel to advance cooperation between the KRG and the European Parliament. 

The meeting focused on strengthening shared values, deepening political engagement, and exploring joint efforts to promote stability across the wider region.

Demirel welcomed the detailed briefing and engaged in questions regarding the KRG’s position on Kurdish rights in Turkey and relations with the federal government of Iraq.