I was honored to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex today in the Vatican.
I reaffirmed that Christians and all religious communities are not only an integral part of the Kurdistan Region’s history and identity, but continue to shape its future.
I reiterated to His Holiness that protecting their rights, dignity, and peaceful presence in their ancestral homeland will always remain our duty.
I expressed Iraq’s and the Kurdistan Region’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s moral leadership and its important role in promoting dialogue and coexistence across the world.
I also recalled with gratitude the late Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and extended an invitation for His Holiness to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Congressman Hamadeh asks @SecWar:
Given Iraq’s close ties to Iran and the growing challenges we’re facing with their government, does he believe the $118 million we’re providing them for counter-ISIS operations is a wise use of American taxpayer dollars?
It was a pleasure to meet Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. We discussed further strengthening our bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments.
It was an important opportunity to discuss issues of shared interest with President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.
I expressed my appreciation to the President and the European Union for their continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
I am pleased to meet my friend, Senator Lindsay Graham and his congressional delegation.
I’m grateful for the role of the U.S. Congress in supporting peace and stability in our region.
Delighted to see my friend @EmmanuelMacron in Munich today. I thanked the President for his steadfast support and for being an ally in promoting peace and stability.
On behalf of President Nechirvan Barzani, @Fawzi_Hariri attended the ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s National Day in Erbil, conveying congratulations and wishes of stability and peace to the Iranian people.
I met with Prime Minister of Lebanon @nawafsalam on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where we discussed strengthening Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Lebanon and exchanged views on regional developments.
Very pleased to meet with @presidentaz Ilham Aliyev in Munich. We discussed potential areas of cooperation between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Azerbaijan, among other issues.
In Munich, I met with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar. We stressed the importance of principled and responsible dialogue and approach to address regional challenges in pursuit of lasting peace.
President Nechirvan Barzani met with U.S. Consul General Ms. Gwendolyn Green to discuss political developments in the Kurdistan Region, cabinet formation, and the importance of cooperation. They also discussed developments in Iraq, Syria, and the wider region.
As previously stated, I am trying to work with the administration and regional partners to prevent a bloodbath in Syria against our Kurdish allies. It is now time for the region to change their ways and man up for decency.
To Saudi Arabia: I have tried to work hard to chart a new path for relations between your country, the United States and the region. I have tremendous respect for many of the changes that have been embraced. However, the Kingdom’s attack on the United Arab Emirates and their silence regarding the Syrian government’s constant assault on the Kurds has to change. Please understand that I am smart enough to know that Saudi Arabia has influence on the Syrian government, and I expect them to use it to keep the region from falling further into chaos.
To Saudi Arabia: Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I call for EU, USA, NATO to recognize, defend Rojava Republic to be established and recognized East of the Euphrates River
#ExSyria@POTUS@vonderleyen@SecGenNATO@kajakallas
RojavaRepublic is our Ally
Is U.S. abandoning the #Kurds in Syria, as we have elsewhere in the region?
Do we really believe we no longer need the Kurds as reliable, battle-tested allies?
Are we siding with what we pray are "reformed" jihadists in Syria?
I stand with the Kurds.
Always have. Always will.