Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday bid farewell to UK Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hitchen and discussed the importance of the formation of a new KRG cabinet.

According to the KRG readout, they underscored the importance of establishing a strong, united, and efficient government as soon as possible, one capable of delivering concrete reforms and quality services to the people of the Kurdistan Region.

Moreover, they discussed the situation in Iraq and the region and the urgent need to resolve issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government based on the Constitution and the preservation of the region’s federal status. 

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Ambassador Hitchen for the successful completion of his term and wished him success in his future endeavors.

In a separate meeting, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also met with outgoing Ambassador Hitchen, and expressed his gratitude for the Ambassador’s efforts in strengthening ties between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

Last November, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission ratified the results of the October Kurdistan Region Parliament elections, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leading with 39 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23, and the New Generation Movement with 15.

After the ratification, the ruling KDP and PUK parties have continued negotiations, with the last meeting taking place in Sulaymaniyah.