DOHA: Qatar yesterday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), covering cooperation in areas like infrastructure, agricultural investment and development and tourism and aviation.
Imad Ahmad, Minister for Housing and Reconstruction in the KRG and H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, Minister of State for International Cooperation, signed the MoU. Talking to reporters after the agreement signing, Imad Ahmad said: "The deal, which is within the framework of brotherly relations between Qatar and Iraq, mentioned the possibility of opening a Qatari consulate in the Kurdistan region in Iraq".
He added that the memorandum also covers opening a Qatari consulate in the region with the approval of the Iraqi foreign ministry as well as the opening of an office for the Kurdistan region in Qatar. The MoU was signed as part of the visit by the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, Masoud Barzani.
The Minister underlined the importance of developing and enhancing economic and political relations between Qatar and Iraq, including the Kurdistan region, noting that all agreements between the Kurdistan region and other countries are signed with the knowledge of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. "So far, the government of Kurdistan region has signed similar agreement with South Korea. There is another one with France but not signed yet," he added.
Asked about the size of Kurdistan community in Qatar, he said its number is few here. "Both Kurds and Kurdistan people have sizeable number in some Arab countries," he said.
By Mohamed Salem
© The Peninsula 2009
