MESOP LATEST : Belgium to Offer More Support to Peshmerga & Kurdistan

Basnews | Rana Husen – 09.06.2015 – ERBIL – During a visit to the Kurdistan Region, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs has promised his country will continue to support the KRG and Peshmerga forces against Islamic State (IS). He pledged that Belgium will continue to invest in the region once the war against IS is over.

On Tuesday June 9th, Didier Reynders, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, arrived in Erbil to meet with KRG officials. After meeting Falah Mustafa, the Kurdistan Region’s Foreign Relations Minister, Reynders told reporters he was impressed by the courage Peshmerga forces have shown in fighting IS. “Its important the world knows about the Peshmerga’s courage and it’s even more important that the world supports Kurdistan’s forces in the fight against IS,” Reynders said in a joint press conference with Mustafa in Erbil.

The Belgian deputy PM also acknowledged the crucial role the KRG has played in providing a safe haven for more that 2 million Iraqi IDP’s and Syrian refugees. “The Kurdistan Region has provided every assistance to refugees without differentiating along religious or ethnic lines,” added Reynders. “We wish to continue out support to Kurdistan once the war ends, especially by investing in the region and strengthening trade relations between the Kurdistan Region and Belgium,” added Reynders. Mustafa told reporters from Erbil that during his meeting with the Belgium Foreign Minister they also discussed Erbil – Baghdad relations. Reynders acknowledged the huge pressures facing the KRG, as a wave of IDPs arrive in the region escaping violence in central and western areas of Iraq.