Deputy Speaker Dr. Hemin Hawrami welcomes UK's new Consul General David Hunt

Kurdistan Parliament Deputy Speaker Dr. Hemin Hawrami on 10 November welcomed the new British Consul General in Kurdistan Region, Mr. David Hunt. They discussed strengthening inter-parliamentary relations and Parliament’s agenda for the coming months.

Deputy Speaker Hawrami said that the Kurdistan Parliament enjoys very good relations with the UK Parliament, through the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kurdistan Region in Iraq, and through capacity-building programmes in the past.

Dr. Hawrami and Consul General Hunt exchanged views on developing further the close inter-parliamentary ties, and on sharing legislative and oversight expertise.

The UK’s vital support for Peshmerga reforms and unification was also greatly appreciated by the Kurdistan Parliament, Deputy Speaker Hawrami said.

Another topic of discussion was the rights and political representation of ethnic and religious components. Consul General Hunt said that Kurdistan is a beacon of tolerance in the region.

The Deputy Speaker gave an overview of Parliament’s priorities for the coming months, which are to renew the mandate of the Kurdistan Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission, review the Kurdistan Region Election Law, and draft the Kurdistan Constitution.

Consul General Hunt was accompanied by James Charlton, Head of the Consulate General’s political team. MPs Bapir Kamala (Sardam, Social Democratic Party) and Sara Chawshli (Turkmen Development Party) participated in the meeting.