Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), met with France’s newly appointed Consul General in Erbil, Emmanuel Menut, on Thursday at Barzani’s residence in Pirmam.

Barzani congratulated Menut on assuming his new diplomatic post and wished him success in carrying out his duties.

During the meeting, Barzani highlighted the longstanding ties between the Kurdish and French peoples, describing the relationship as friendly and close.

Menut reaffirmed France’s commitment to preserving its historic friendship with the Kurdistan Region. He said he would follow the approach of previous French consuls general and work to further strengthen relations between France and the Kurdistan Region across various fields.

The meeting also covered the latest political and security developments in the region, relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government, and the conclusion of the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq.

France has maintained a diplomatic presence in Erbil and has been a longstanding partner of the Kurdistan Region in political, security and humanitarian affairs.