On Tuesday, President Masoud Barzani met with a delegation from the French Senate consisting of Senator Rémi Féraud of the Paris region and Senator Olivier Bitz of the Orne region, in which the delegation emphasized the longstanding relationship between France and the Kurdistan Region.

According to the readout from the Barzani headquarters, the delegation expressed its appreciation for President Barzani’s historic role in the Kurdish people’s struggle for liberation and the defeat of ISIS. 

The Kurdish leader highlighted the history of France-Kurdistan relations, including French support during the Kurdish uprisings, UN Resolution 688, the fight against terrorism, and visits by France’s President François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron. He also noted the naming of a street in Paris after the Peshmerga.

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President Barzani stressed that all these historical milestones are evidence of the longstanding, strong, and friendly ties between the people of Kurdistan and the people of France.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also received the same delegation, during which the senators underscored the deep bonds of friendship and historical ties between France and the Kurdistan Region, and reaffirmed France’s view of the Kurdistan Region as a trusted and reliable partner and ally.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s sincere appreciation of the government and people of France for their continued friendship, support, and solidarity with the Kurdistan Region.

They also emphasized the importance of reactivating the Kurdistan Parliament and expediting the formation of the new KRG cabinet, which has not been formed despite elections held on October 20, 2024.

In another meeting, Prime Minister Barzani received Christian Ulfke, Germany’s new Consul General in Erbil, during which the Consul General reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Germany and the Kurdistan Region.