(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) IRBIL, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexander De Croo affirmed on Tuesday his country and the EU's eagerness of sustainable stability and welfare in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
This came during a meeting between him and former president of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani.
The two sides discussed risks of "terrorism" posed on the stability of region and the world.
In a statement by Barzani's office, De Croo expressed his appreciation to Barzani's role and the Kurdistan region in the fight against the terrorist so-called Islamic State, and the contributions to the region's stability.
The Belgian official stressed that the visit emphasized Belgium and Europe's support of efforts made so as to promote progress, guarantee stability as well as counter terrorism, according to the statement.
Belgium and the EU would remain partners of the region, he said, thanking the region's institutions for cooperating with the EU and the world during crises and challenges, mainly in the fields of combating terrorism, and helping internally displaced persons and refugees, it added.
De Croo congratulated Barzani on selecting a new speaker of the region's parliament, describing this as a "progress" in the political process.
Meanwhile, Barzani expressed his gratitude to Belgium, the EU and all members of the international coalition against IS militants for helping forces of Kurdistan's Peshmerga.
The two sides further dealt with the situation in Syria, Nineveh governorate and Mosul as well as the return of refugees, the statement said.
Concerning the situation in Syria, Barzani expressed his "concerns towards Kurds' future, stressing the necessity of avoiding causing any damage to both Syrians and Kurds there." De Croo arrived in Irbil from Baghdad where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Adulmahdi. During the meeting, the visiting official voiced Belgium's support to Iraq and its reconstruction. (end) sbr.hm
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