Kurdistan
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg meeting with Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, after arriving in Erbil on September 12, 2023. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Austria’s foreign minister arrived in the Kurdistan Region’s capital of Erbil on Tuesday, where he is set to meet with top Kurdish officials after concluding a visit to Baghdad.
Alexander Schallenberg arrived in Erbil on Tuesday evening and was received by Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations. His visit came after a trip to Baghdad to reopen the Austrian embassy after a 32-year absence.
He will meet with top Kurdish officials on Wednesday, including Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdistan Region’s president, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Rudaw understands that Schallenberg’s meetings with Kurdish officials will discuss Erbil-Vienna relations, regional developments, and methods to expand bilateral cooperation.
During a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, Schallenberg said “Iraq plays an important role in the region’s stability, and when this country is experiencing instability we will feel that in Austria too.”
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and President Abdul Latif Rashid received Schallenberg separately on Monday, welcoming the decision to reopen the Austrian embassy.
Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 over security concerns. The country has had a representation in the Iraqi capital for under a year, and the embassy is set to reopen later this month.
Alexander Schallenberg arrived in Erbil on Tuesday evening and was received by Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations. His visit came after a trip to Baghdad to reopen the Austrian embassy after a 32-year absence.
He will meet with top Kurdish officials on Wednesday, including Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdistan Region’s president, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Rudaw understands that Schallenberg’s meetings with Kurdish officials will discuss Erbil-Vienna relations, regional developments, and methods to expand bilateral cooperation.
Very pleased to welcome #Austrian FM @a_schallenberg to #Erbil, #Kurdistan at EIA.
— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) September 12, 2023
We’re looking forward to fruitful and productive discussions at tomorrow's meetings. pic.twitter.com/TTTty9Yadg
During a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, Schallenberg said “Iraq plays an important role in the region’s stability, and when this country is experiencing instability we will feel that in Austria too.”
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and President Abdul Latif Rashid received Schallenberg separately on Monday, welcoming the decision to reopen the Austrian embassy.
Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 over security concerns. The country has had a representation in the Iraqi capital for under a year, and the embassy is set to reopen later this month.
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