French and Kurdish officials on Thursday awarded certificates to 21 Kurdish police officers who completed specialized training on combating document fraud and illegal immigration.

The program, conducted by two officers from the French National Police and attended by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Interior Ministry official Hemn Merany, underscored the growing security partnership between France and the Kurdistan Region.

“Training has focused on strengthening the Kurdish security agencies’ capacity to work on document verification and migration issues, particularly tackling illegal migration networks. 

Two French officers came to Erbil for one week to work on these topics. More than 20 police officers – from the airport, residency departments, and other services – took part,” France's Consul General Yann Braem told Kurdistan Chronicle.

"Our aim is to support Kurdish security officers, especially in combating illegal migration and smuggling networks that operate in the Kurdistan Region. This is part of normal police cooperation, and it was the first training of its kind with the Kurdistan Region’s security forces, including border police officers,” he added.

Consul General Braem explained that the training was a one-off session. “But we are exploring possibilities to continue this cooperation in Erbil and also expand it to Sulaimaniyah with all forces involved in these activities,” he concluded.

Read More: French National Day Celebrates France-Kurdistan Partnership

France maintains a strong historical relationship with the Kurdistan Region, and is active in Kurdistan in the cultural, educational, economic, and political fields.

France’s Consulate General has organized cultural programs via the Institut Francais, offered French-language training to Peshmerga officers, relaunched archaeological missions, and continued its support for the Danielle Mitterrand French School.

On the economic front, ties have grown through the first France-Kurdistan Business Forum held in Paris in September and the KRG’s participation in the France-Iraq Business Forum organized by Business France in May.

Read More: New Path in Paris Pays Tribute to Kurdish PeshmergaIn September, President Masoud Barzani and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo inaugurated “Peshmerga Path” at Parc Andre Citroen in Paris, a tribute dedicated to Kurdish Peshmerga forces.