Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday met with the UK’s Ambassador to Iraq Steven Hitchen and discussed the preparations for the Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.

Read More: UK Ambassador Underlines Commitment to Strong Partnership with Kurdistan Region

According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s office, both parties agreed on the importance of conducting the elections in a calm and fair environment, free from fraud and interference.

The elections are scheduled to take place on October 20, 2024, after several delays since October 2022.

They also discussed efforts to resolve the issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government of Iraq, ensure the rights and financial entitlements of the region, and enable continuing support for the peshmerga forces.

Read More: Ministry of Peshmerga Discusses UK and German Support

The UK has strong links with the Kurdistan Region and has supported the peshmerga, undertaken cultural engagement in the Kurdistan Region, and built a strong educational, trade, and investment relationship with the region.

Read More: British International University Inaugurated in Erbil

On September 7, Prime Minister Barzani inaugurated the British international University in Erbil in a ceremony attended by University of London Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Thomson and members of the UK House of Lords.