Parliament Speaker’s News

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 2nd October welcomed Mr. Toby Fyfe, CEO of the Canadian independent NGO for improving governance, the Institute of Governance. Mr. Fyfe said that their institute is working to strengthen fiscal federalism and decentralisation, and support plans for a law on general loans in Iraq.

Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 2nd October welcomed the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Head of the Middle East Department, Mr. Petr Hladik, with the Czech Consul General to the Kurdistan Region. Dr. Faiq said that it is important for the Kurdistan Region that foreign countries have diplomatic offices and consulates here. “We thank all the countries that have consulates in Erbil, as their presence has great importance for us,” she added.

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 1 October met with families of Peshmerga soldiers who were captured and likely imprisoned by ISIS during the war against the terrorist organisation. Speaker Faiq said that the Kurdistan Parliament does its utmost to help families of the captured Peshmerga - the freedom we enjoy in Kurdistan is thanks to the Peshmerga force's loyalty and service to their country. The Speaker said, “We follow up on all cases of prisoners and do our best to obtain their freedom.”

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 30 September welcomed Ambassador Leonidas Kontovounesios, Greece’s envoy to Iraq. They discussed strengthening economic relations and encouraging investment to develop Kurdistan’s economy.

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr Rewas Faiq on 29 September chaired the sitting at which MPs voted on first amendments to Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. Some of the key changes that MPs approved by majority votes were to increase the number of standing committees from 15 to 19, so that MPs can be more focused in their committee work and aims. Women’s rights will now have a dedicated committee. Another major change was to allow MPs to keep their parliamentary seat in the event that they leave their party. MPs also voted in favour of stipulating that at least one member of Parliament's Presidency Board must be a woman.

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 29 September welcomed Ambassador Khalid Hamad Al Sleti, Qatar’s envoy to Iraq. They discussed strengthening parliamentary relations and encouraging investment to develop Kurdistan’s economy.

"The siege and the political, military, economic consequences of holding the referendum and were difficult for Kurdistan. The effects of the referendum continue, through the attempts to decrease the constitutional powers of Kurdistan Region’s institutions. But in the end, the right to self-determination remains one of the legitimate rights of peoples. International treaties have affirmed this legitimate right of all peoples. We ask God to protect the Kurdistan Region and our people, and to preserve our institutions so that we may continue to serve all the people of Kurdistan."

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Parliament announces the order of business for the sitting of today, Sunday 29th September at 11am: MPs will vote on first amendments to Parliament's Internal Rules of Procedure, per Articles 90, 91, 93, 96, 97 and 125 of the Internal Rules of Procedure.

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq on 23 September chaired a meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee on preparing a report for the second reading of first amendments to Kurdistan Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. At the second reading which will take place on 25 September, MPs will debate and give their opinions and suggestions on the proposed amendments. 

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Parliament announces the order of business for the sitting of Wednesday 25th September at 11am - the second sitting of the autumn session of the first year of the Kurdistan Parliament’s fifth term.