Deputy Speaker Hawrami welcomes Greece’s first Consul General to Kurdistan Region
Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami on 21st May welcomed Mr. Efthymios Costopoulos, Greece’s first ever Consul General to the Kurdistan Region. They discussed the latest political developments and the government formation process.
Mr. Hawrami said that although the government formation process had been delayed, it was important for the leading political parties to reach a consensus in order to have a strong cabinet for all of Kurdistan.
The Deputy Speaker briefed Mr. Costopoulos about the law that the Kurdistan Parliament passed to reactivate the institution of the Kurdistan Region presidency, and said that soon MPs will vote to select the next president, from among the five eligible candidates. Once the president has been elected, he will ask for the next cabinet to be appointed, and MPs will vote on the ministerial appointments.
Mr. Hawrami and the Greek Consul General also discussed parliament’s priorities to pass a reform package in this fifth term of parliament, Kurdistan’s relations with Baghdad and with neighbouring countries. Mr. Costopoulos briefed Mr. Hawrami about Greece’s forthcoming municipal and European Parliament elections.
Greece had a consular and trade office in Erbil for some years, and appointed Mr. Costopoulos as the first Consul General in 2018.