France, which has longstanding and deep ties of friendship with the Kurds of Iraq, has always worked for the full recognition of Kurdish rights under the Iraqi constitution.

The President of the Republic took note of the decision of the President of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region of Iraq, Mr. Massoud Barzani to give up the exercise of his functions from 1 November. The President of the Republic pays tribute to the historic role of Mr. Massoud Barzani at the head of Iraqi Kurdistan. He salutes his action in the fight against Daesh, to which the Peshmerga have made a decisive contribution.

France, which has longstanding and deep ties of friendship with the Kurds of Iraq, has always worked for the full recognition of Kurdish rights under the Iraqi constitution. Upcoming elections in the region will strengthen Kurdistan's long-term roots in democracy.

The President of the Republic calls on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal authorities to refrain from any military operation and to continue on the path of dialogue, with the support of the United Nations, in order to achieve lasting peace in an Iraq United.

France will continue to act to facilitate this dialogue in the coming weeks.