A delegation from Swedish Foreign Ministry consisted of Ambassador Ann Dismore Head of the Middle East and North Africa Desk and Mr Joran Bjallerstedt, the Swedish Charge d Affair of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad .

During the meeting in which Amir Grgies, head of our Office’s European Desk was present, I provided an update about the current political and economic situation in Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The recent Federal election , its contested results and the ongoing manual recount were highlighted. We clarified the KDP’s position As the first winner of the election in Kurdistan Region, KDP has joined forces with PUK to form a united Kurdistani program and agenda for the future negotiations with the winning Federal lists.

Sweden has been supporting Kurdistan Region since early 90s through the the humanitarian assistance provided by Qandil and SIDA. Their military assistance during the fight against ISIS played an important role in strengthening the Peshmerga ‘s fighting capabilities.

Sweden opened its door to thousands of asylum seekers fleeing the atrocities of Sadam Husain’s regime in the 90s and early 2000s. Sweden is a non permanent member of the UN SC and an active member of EU.