President Masoud Barzani on Tuesday, received a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church headed by Metropolitan Anthony, Head of External Relations of the Church. The meeting was also attended by Maxim Rubin, Russia’s Consul General in Erbil.

The Russian Orthodox delegation expressed its pleasure at visiting Kurdistan and praised President Barzani’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening the foundations of harmony among the Kurdistan Region’s diverse religious and ethnic communities. The delegation emphasized that Kurdistan has become a beacon of humanity, rooted in its profound commitment to peaceful coexistence, despite its location in a region marked by conflict and instability. They also voiced their desire to continue and expand ties with religious centers across the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, highlighting the historic friendship between the Kurdish and Russian peoples. He recalled examples of solidarity and loyalty among Kurdistan’s communities during times of hardship, stressing that coexistence and mutual support are core values deeply embedded in Kurdistan’s history and culture, passed down from generation to generation.