In Christmas message EU says it remains KRG, Iraq’s steady partner

In her Christmas and New Year message Clarisse Pasztory, head of the European Union Liaison Office in Erbil said, “In these volatile times the European Union is a steady partner.”

 

“The European Union is here in Erbil, in Iraq and in Kurdistan to stay.” Pasztory said via Rudaw TV. “We will keep supporting the political, institutional, economic and administrative developments in the Kurdistan Region and in Iraq as a whole.”

 

She said the European Union wishes for KRG’s reform plans to continue and for the new Kurdish and Iraqi governments to be completed.

 

“My wish for the New Year is to see KRG’s ambitious reforms to continue and indeed accelerate across the sectors, economic, social, administrative and political.” Pasztory said. “For that we need properly functioning institutions in place. I also hope for the acceleration of the formation of governments in Erbil and the completion of the government in Baghdad.”

 

The head of the EU office said that in Christmas there was love and forgiveness and she hoped to see more of both in the world.

 

“Before we celebrate New Year we Christians celebrate Christmas. Christians are a strong minority here in Kurdistan. Kept safe and growing by the KRG same as many other minorities. Whether you believe in God or not, whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Yezidi, Jewish Zoroastrian or whatever else, whether you consider Jesus the son of God, or merely a prophet or nothing at all, Jesus did introduce new concepts into religion: Love and forgiveness.” Pasztory said.

 

“Accept differences, accept different opinions and views, accept the otherness. With this I would like to wish the citizens of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, all those who hold residence permit or those who are here temporarily because they are IDPs or refugees from within Iraq or from outside, all of the foreigners who work here, all of my colleagues, diplomats and others a very very happy, healthy, successful and peaceful 2019.”