On the Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Mr.Vladimir Makei to Kurdistan Region of Iraq

18-09-2014

On September 16-18, 2014 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr.Vladimir Makei was on a working visit to Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Belarusian delegation included the representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as business circles.

This is the first visit of the Belarusian delegation of such a level to Kurdistan.



Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the President of Iraqi Kurdistan Mr.Masoud Barzani. President of Iraqi Kurdistan highly appreciated the visit of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus in a very difficult period for the Region. During the meeting the sides discussed the possibilities of expanding the partnership, providing support by the Republic of Belarus to Iraqi Kurdistan in the fight against the threat of terrorism, including through economic and social development of the region. Mr.Masoud Barzani confirmed the interest of the Autonomous region in expanding partnership with the Republic of Belarus in all spheres.



At a joint meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Mr.Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Mr.Qubad Talabani, and the Minister for Natural Resources Mr.Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mr.Yousif Mohammad the sides discussed concrete ways of increasing trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Iraqi Kurdistan.



The parties agreed to form a bilateral group on trade and economic cooperation, the first meeting of which will take place in the near future and will be dedicated to the implementation of mutually beneficial projects in the priority areas of cooperation. The sides put on paper all the agreements reached.



During the meeting with the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Regional Government Mr.Samal Sardar the sides discussed the issues of holding business forum with the participation of the representatives of business circles of Belarus and Iraqi Kurdistan in order to find partners and establish long-term business relationship. The parties discussed the possibilities of increasing the supply of Belarusian technical equipment to the market of the Autonomous region, the implementation of joint projects in various fields.



At a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Mr.Majeed Abdulstar the issues of cooperation in the sphere of agricultural production were discussed. The Belarusian side expressed willingness to share experience in ensuring food security of the country.



The meeting with the governor of Erbil Mr.Nawzad Hadi was held. The governor confirmed the intention of the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan to continue cooperation with Minsk, as well as to implement the agreements that were reached during the visit to Minsk and Erbil of the leadership of the cities in recent years.



Under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Erbil the meeting of Mr.Vladimir Makei with business circles of Iraqi Kurdistan was held. The presentation of products of the enterprises of the Ministry of Industry was held.

The Iraqi side showed substantive interest in the implementation of projects together with Belarusian partners in the sphere of industry, agriculture, tourism, and education. The sides reached agreement to organize a visit of business circles of Iraqi Kurdistan to Belarus.



In Duhok the Belarusian delegation visited one of the largest in northern Iraq camp for refugees, who had to leave the territories captured by militants of the terrorist group “Islamic state”.The meeting with the families of Yazidis Kurds, who live in the camp, took place. According to the Belarusian side, the scale of the tragedy requires the involvement of the international community. Belarus intends to sharply raise the issue at the next meeting of the UN General Assembly.

During the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs gave a number of interviews to regional media.

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