Date : 27/07/2005
KUN0074 4 GEN 0361 KUWAIT /KUNA-RSQ5
POL-IRAQ-POLAND
Polish PM asserts support for reconstructing Iraq
IRBIL, July 27 (KUNA) -- Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka on Wednesday
asserted his country's support for the construction of Iraq.
At a joint press conference with the President of Kurdistan Region Masaud
Barzani, Belka said that Poland is exerting efforts to help Kurds and Iraqis
reconstruct Iraq, noting that Poland is closely watching the developments in
Iraq, especially the political ones.
He added that the visit aims at establishing direct relationships between
Poland and the Kurdistan region, especially between Kurdish and Polish
companies, describing economic relationships as very important.
On diplomatic representation, Belka said that Poland may establish a
consulate in Kurdistan region in addition to the current embassy in Baghdad.
However, he added, this matter is a recommendation, not a promise.
Meanwhile, Barzani said that talks between the two sides focused on the
economic and investment fields, noting the broad horizons for economic
exchange between Poland and Iraq in general, and Kurdistan region in
particular.
He praised the visit, which is the first for a European prime minister,
describing it as a good initiative to establish relationships between the two
sides.
On the Iraqi constitution, Barzani said that a Kurdish delegation is
visiting Baghdad currently to follow-up with the constitutional process,
noting that Kurdistan insists on including all its basic demands in the new
permanent Iraqi constitution.
Belka arrived in Irbil Airport on Wednesday accompanied by a delegation
that includes the ministers of foreign affairs, economics, and finance, in
addition to a number of businessmen. The delegation was received by
Kurdistan's Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.
Secretary of the Political Office in the Kurdistan Democratic Party Fazel
Mirani described the visit as historical, noting that talks between the two
sides focused on joint investments, facilitations provided for Polish
businessmen and companies to invest in Kurdistan's private sector only, and
the government's support for these companies. (end)
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