President Barzani thanks Canada for 'substantial aid' to Kurdistan region

President Massoud Barzani received the Canadian Ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Saccomani, and his accompanying delegation in Salahuddin on Wednesday afternoon for talks on bilateral relations, the political and security situation in the Kurdistan region and other areas of mutual interest.

The Kurdistan region president welcomed Mr Saccomani and his delegation before wishing him success in his forward role and said that he hopes the warming relations between his country and Canada will continue to improve.

Speaking about the current military advancement by the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, Mr Saccomani said that despite the potential logistical scarce, they [Peshmerga] showed unparalleled courage and will certainly become the identity of Kurdistan around the world, adding that they are of "great pride to have a role in the evolution of my relations with the Kurdistan Region,"

At the outset of the meeting, the Canadian ambassador expressed his pleasure of meeting Mr Barzani to make his farewell announcement that his duties as his country's representative to Iraq has ended. He expressed his satisfactionof working in the Kurdistan region for the past three years and during his tenure, he has been "extremely pleased" to see both sides develop a "sustainable relationship".

 

Mr Saccomani said he is delighted that his country is working to provide assistance to the Peshmerga forces in the framework of the international coalition in the war against Daash, and stressed his country will continue to supply humanitarian and military aid to the region.

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer at the Canadian Embassy in Iraq also praised the role of the people and government of Kurdistan for the reception and accommodation of the large number of displaced persons and refugees amidst the financial and economic crisis they are going through and the war they are waging, adding that Kurdistan has been a model example to the rest of the world.

The meeting concluded with Mr Barzani expressing his appreciation toward the  State of Canada which provided a considerable amount of aid and said they play a large part in helping to combat terrorism.