Deputy PM Talabani promotes Kurdish issues in EU visit


The Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, in a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium, raised issues critical to the Kurdistan Region in a string of meetings with European leaders, including the planned referendum on independence.

Qubad Talabani met with the Netherlands' Foreign Affairs Minister Bert Koenders on Thursday. They discussed the fight against ISIS and his country's military assistance.

Following the meeting, Koenders told Rudaw that they would continue to support the Peshmerga and train them in the fight against the radical militants.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation led by Talabani also met with the Netherlands' Finance and Development Minister, discussing the Region’s attempts toward grassroots reforms in all sectors.

On Wednesday, the KRG delegation met with and the country’s defense ministry.

“We talked about the fight against ISIS… because Holland is part of the fight supporting the Peshmerga. Their air force also supports the Peshmerga,” said Dilawar Azhgay, head of the KRG’s mission to the EU.

He added later they had discussed the KRG’s needs in the fight against ISIS as well as reforms the KRG is making within the Peshmerga Ministry.

The Netherlands was also asked to join the US, the UK, and Germany in helping to build the ministry.

Last month, Kurdistan’s Council of Ministers agreed to a proposal that seeks to unify and reorganize the Kurdish Peshmerga forces over the next ten years with assistance from the US, UK, and Germany.


Azhgay said they also asked the Netherlands to receive Peshmerga wounded in the fight against ISIS. Tens of Peshmerga need medical care that they cannot obtain in the Kurdistan Region.

“They said they will look into it and make a decision,” Azhgay said.

The KRG delegation also visited the International Criminal Court to discuss recognition of ISIS atrocities.

“Of course the subject will be the recognition of ISIS atrocities and how the ICC steps towards holding an international trial of those criminals who committed genocide against the Kurdistan nation, especially our Yezidi sisters and brothers, either inside the Kurdistan Region or abroad,” Azhgay explained.

According to Rudaw’s Alla Shali, Talabani also met with the Netherlands’ Development Finance Company to encourage the group’s companies to invest in the Region and help provide job opportunities for the people of Kurdistan.

The KRG delegation visited Belgium on Thursday where they met with Belgian and European Union officials.

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