A delegation from the Canada–Kurdistan Parliamentary Friendship Group paid an official visit to the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming Canada’s longstanding friendship with the Kurdish people and exploring opportunities to deepen political, economic, and institutional cooperation.
The delegation was composed of Ziad Aboultaif, Member of the Canadian Parliament from the Conservative Party, and Ahmed Hussen, Liberal Member of Parliament, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and former Minister of International Development as well as former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
During their visit, the delegation held separate meetings with President Masoud Barzani in Pirmam, President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Throughout the meetings, the Canadian parliamentarians reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Kurdish people’s aspirations and expressed their admiration for the resilience, struggle, and sacrifices of the people of Kurdistan. They paid tribute to the courage and heroism of the Peshmerga forces in the fight against the ISIS terrorist organization and reiterated Canada’s continued support for the Kurdistan Region and its people.
The delegation also highlighted the work of the Canada–Kurdistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Parliament of Canada, outlining its efforts to strengthen parliamentary engagement and expand cooperation between Canada and the Kurdistan Region. They emphasized their coordination with the Kurdish Canadian Federation and acknowledged the important role of the Kurdish diaspora in promoting stronger ties and greater understanding between the two sides.
During discussions, the Canadian delegation expressed a strong desire to further enhance bilateral relations across a broad range of sectors, particularly in the fields of economic development, investment, technology, and institutional cooperation. They also affirmed Canada’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the Kurdistan Region and to build upon the longstanding relationship between the two peoples.
In meetings attended by members of the Kurdistan Confederation in Canada, participants discussed ways to strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Canada. They underscored the valuable contribution of the Kurdish Canadian community in fostering closer cooperation and expanding people-to-people and governmental ties.
The delegation also praised the Kurdistan Region’s model of peaceful coexistence among its diverse ethnic and religious communities, emphasizing the importance of preserving its stability in a region facing ongoing political and security challenges. Regional political and security developments were also among the key issues discussed during the visit.
For their part, the Kurdish leadership expressed appreciation for Canada’s consistent support over the years, particularly during the war against ISIS, when Canada stood alongside the people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga through military, humanitarian, and political assistance.
President Masoud Barzani, President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani each reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding friendship between the Kurdistan Region and Canada. They emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in political, economic, technological, and parliamentary fields while continuing to build on the strong foundation established through years of mutual partnership and shared values.