Jean-Christophe Camdabelis: ‘’Massoud Barzani; a prominent leader and an important figure in reaching peaceful solutions to tensions”

The Vice-President of the European Socialist Party and Chairman of Foreign Relations of French socialist Jean-Christophe Camdabelis arrived in Erbil on Saturday. The three-man delegation, which included Socialist Relations Committee member Karim Pakzad and French Socialist Party advisor Spastan Chirko, were received by KDP Political Bureau member Dr Kamal Kirkuki at the KDP’s Foreign Relations Office. The Head of KDP Foreign Relations Office Hemin Hawrami, Head of National Relations Ahmed Kani and other office members were also present at the meeting Dr Kirkuki initially expressed his admiration of the relationship between the two sides and for the French Socialist Party’s support in Kurdish matters. Their meeting focused on the current situation in the Kurdistan Region on security and the reconstruction process. Dr Kirkuki said the sacrifices by the Kurdish people achieved the stability Kurdistan today has. He also emphasized the commitment to the Iraqi Constitution in attempts to resolving persistent political issues between the region and the central government in Baghdad. On issues relating to Syria, Dr Kirkuki said: “We hope for an end to the crisis in Syria and respect whatever outcome the Syrian people reach.” Hemin Hawrami accentuated the importance of relations between the two sides, indicating to the agreement signed by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and President Massoud Barzani and wished to apply all paragraphs of the Convention that serve both sides. Mr Hawrami expressed his desire of French companies investing in the Kurdistan Region as the economy is growing rapidly. For his part, Mr Cambadelis thanked the KDP Foreign Relations Office for their warm welcome and was satisfied with his visit to Kurdistan. He voiced his awareness of the sacrifices made by the Kurdish people while stating the region has become an appreciated and peaceful state in the Middle East. Mr Cambadelis spoke favourably of President Barzani, citing him as a leader who plays a prominent role in achieving peace and an important figure. He stressed the strengthening and consolidation of relations between the two sides.