The leaders underlined the strength of their relationship, acknowledging the U.K.’s deep ties with the Kurdish people. They noted the significant opportunities for greater partnerships across trade and investment.

 

The U.K. is home to many Kurds from the Kurdistan region who maintain close ties with relatives back in the Kurdistan region. 


Acknowledging the continuing challenges to regional security, the Prime Minister voiced his enduring commitment to Iraqi stability and the counter-Daesh operations across the Middle East.


Masrour Barzani stressed his region’s willingness to export Kurdish gas to supply European households with energy and help lessen E.U. reliance on Russian energy.


We will work to provide employment opportunities, especially in agriculture and financial services, Barzani tweeted. 


Barzani’s visit to the U.K. was not welcomed by the Kurds of the Kurdistan region and the Kurdish diaspora in the U.K., “We don’t energy to warm our homes or cook at home and now he [Masrour Barzani] wants to power Europe with Kurdistan region gas!” an activist spoke to Kurdsat English. 


Kurdistan region would first need to acquire Baghdad’s acceptance before it can export its energy. Since 2014 Baghdad has asked the Kurdistan region to return its energy revenues to the central government, which has become the main issue in the Baghdad-Erbil disputes.  


In February, the Iraqi supreme ruled the Kurdistan region’s independent oil and gas management unconstitutional. The Iraqi ministry of oil said it would carry out the decision by forming a company to manage the region’s energy sector.