Deputy Speaker Hawrami and MPs meet Spain’s Ambassador to Iraq
Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami and several MPs on 20th June met Spain’s Ambassador to Iraq, Ambassador Juan Jose Escobar-Stemmann, and his delegation, to discuss the latest political developments, the situation of the different ethnic and religious communities, and Kurdistan Region’s relations with Spain.
Kurdistan Parliament MPs Azad Kurachy (Turkmen, Nation Party), Faesel Abbas (PUK), Jalal Muhammadamin Ahmad (Change Movement) and Romeo Hakkari (Christian, National Union Coalition) also met Ambassador Escobar-Stemmann and his delegation.
Deputy Speaker Hawrami said that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the KDP has until 12th July to give the names of his cabinet. The main government coalition partners, the PUK and Change Movement, will submit the names of their ministerial candidates to the Prime Minister. The ministers’ CVs will be given to the Kurdistan Parliament, where the ministers will take their oath of office.
Ambassador Escobar-Stemmann said he hoped to see the Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet formed as soon as possible and for Kurdistan Region to have a strong united position in the Middle East region.
Mr. Hakkari said that Kurdish MPs in Iraq’s Council of Representatives (parliament) helped to amend the Iraq national identity card law of 2015 which discriminated against religious minorities. He asked Spain and the international community to continue their assistance to tens of thousands of IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan Region.
Mr. Kurachy described the situation of the Turkmen, who want to preserve their language, culture and have more political rights.
Ambassador Escobar-Stemmann said that he is aware of the challenges faced by the religious and ethnic components of Iraq and in particular hopes that they will be protected in the Ninevah plain. He added that Spain has brought musicians to a cultural festival at the Erbil Citadel, and hopes to bring business delegations in the future.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Marina de Ramon, Political Officer of the Spanish Office in Erbil.
