During the French National Day celebration in Erbil organized by France’s Consulate General, Consul General Yann Braem highlighted the importance of relations between the Kurdistan Region and France.
The event was attended by President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed and other senior Kurdish officials. An estimated 1,100 people joined the event.
“July 14 is dedicated to the theme of peace, in tribute to the UN and its mission,” Consul General Braem said in his opening speech. “Let us remember that 80 years ago, amid the ruins of World War II, a hope for peace was born with the signing of the UN Charter on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco by the allied nations.
“This aspiration for peace must continue to guide us. France remains committed to ensuring security for all and upholding the rights of every individual.”
Furthermore, the French diplomat also underlined that security, development, and environmental protection are all equally vital.
“Let us also recall that ten years ago, in 2015, the Millennium Development Goals were adopted alongside the Paris Agreement on climate change – both powerful and essential commitments.”
Consul General Braem said that France supports the Kurdistan Region “politically, first of all, through high-level exchanges on regional tensions, our support for the holding of legislative elections in Kurdistan – which would have been a success – and our support for Kurdish unity. We also share the firm belief that dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes, including with Baghdad.
“This spirit of dialogue was exemplified by the visit of France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot to Baghdad and Erbil last April.”
France’s Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region has organized cultural events through the Institut Francais, inaugurated the “French Corner” at University of Kurdistan Hewler), provided French language instruction for 14 peshmerga officers, relaunched archaeological missions, and continued support for the Danielle Mitterrand French School.
Consul General Braem also highlighted that France has strengthened their business ties with the Kurdistan Region through the first France-Kurdistan Business Forum in Paris in September and the participation of a KRG delegation in the France-Iraq Business Forum organized by Business France this past May.
“France is deeply committed to strengthening ties with Kurdistan, and many opportunities lie ahead to further deepen this partnership,” Consul General Braem said. “And we will have many opportunities in the coming year to build this partnership – in particular, the upcoming inauguration of the Place des Peshmerga in Paris.”
KRG Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed during the event underlined that the relationship between the Kurdish people and France is not new.
“It’s rooted in a shared struggle, mutual respect, and enduring partnership. When our people faced existential threats under dictatorship, during displacement, or in the war against terrorism, France stood with us.”
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“France’s voice was strong and principled. In international forums, French humanitarian organizations were among the first on the ground and the French people opened their hearts and homes to Kurdish refugees with compassion and dignity. We are sincerely grateful for the
stance of leaders like President Francois Mitterrand and First Lady Danielle Mitterrand.”
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He also underlined that France was the first country to recognize the suffering of the Kurdish people. Most notably, in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, when Kurds were displaced, France led the call for a safe zone under US Security Council Resolution 688.
Minister Ahmed also praised France’s President Emmanuel Macron for his support to the Kurdistan Region “by personally visiting our region and reaffirming his country’s commitment to our cause.”
In February 2023, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani paid an official visit to France. In July 2024, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and was received by President Macron. Furthermore, in April, President Nechirvan Barzani was welcomed by President Macron at the Elysee Palace.
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In April, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot visited the Kurdistan Region and extended an invitation to President Masoud Barzani to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Place du Peshmerga park in Paris.
“We are proud to see this friendship flourish across education, security, government, and economic cooperation. We are especially pleased to see France’s Consulate General here as a center of diplomacy and connectivity. It’s not just a diplomatic mission. It’s a bridge of friendship.
“We are grateful to the French Republic for this, for its longstanding support and engagement with the people of Kurdistan,” Minister Ahmed concluded.
