Armenia and Kurdistan to strengthen relations

by Roni Alasor and Lorin Sarkisian

Brussels, 18 March 2015 - Middle East Diplomatic (MED) - Kurdistan Region and Armenia are planning to strengthen economic, diplomatic and cultural relations. Future projects for cooperation have been discussed during a meeting in the Kurdish capital Erbil between Levon Sargsyan, Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy of the Armenian Government and Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations.

Mr. Sargsyan was accompanied by Mr. Karin Gregorian, Ambassador of Armenia to Iraq. The Armenian diplomats met with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani as well.

According the KRG site www.dfr.gov.krd, both sides are interested in strengthening bilateral relations in the benefit of Armenians and Kurds. An Armenian consulate is expected to be open in Erbil in near future. Commenting to this decision of the Armenian side, Minister Mustafa said : “We are very pleased with the decision of the government of Armenia to open its consulate general in Kurdistan at such an important time. With the opening of this office, we will enter a new phase in our relations. It will be a great step forward and will certainly enhance relations between the Kurdistan Region and Armenia in all fields.”

The possibility for opening KRG representation office in Armenia has been also discussed.

The existing direct flights between Erbil and Yerevan would facilitate mutual exchange in various fields. Ambassador Sargsyan and Minister Mustafa also discussed the idea for organizing an economic forum to be attended by political leaders as well as representatives of private sector of Armenia and the Kurdistan Region.

The security and humanitarian situation in the Middle East has been among the discussed topics as well. Ambassador Sargsyan underlined the solidarity of the Armenian government and Armenian people with the Kurdistan Region and praised the heroism of the Peshmergas in the fight against terrorists.