Kurdistan Regional Government
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UK Consulate General hosts reception for departing Consul

TUE, 17 JUL 2012 21:05 | KRG.org

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq – (KRG.org) – The Consulate General of the United Kingdome hosted an evening reception to honor the departure of its first Consul General to Kurdistan, Mr Chris Bowers, yesterday in Erbil.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Bowers said, “I’m struck that wherever I go, not only are Britons treated here as honored guests, which is humbling, but you have a sense that we can help and make a difference.”

Referring to a joint declaration that was signed between Northern Ireland and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) earlier in the day, Mr Bowers added, “I think that’s a sign of how the commercial outreach that we’re doing is now hitting right across the UK. And, I think that shows there’s a lot more potential, which is good news for the future.”

The United Kingdom’s new Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Simon Collis, also attended the reception where he confirmed that the UK will continue to support democratic system throughout Iraq, especially the rule of law and genuine power sharing. He also said that he planned to make frequent visits to the Kurdistan Region in order to support these efforts.

The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa thanked Mr Bowers for his service in Kurdistan and his efforts to help strengthen ties with all parts of the United Kingdom.
“Our people do care about relationships with the international community and the outside world. We want to interact with the outside world, we have been isolated and we have suffered, but we want to showcase Kurdistan as a successful story, a story that we are proud of because we have embarked on a journey of building a democratic system here,” he said.

Consul General Chris Bowers served in Kurdistan for more than two years, first as the Head of the UK Embassy Office and then as Her Majesty’s First Consul General in the Region whenever the office was upgraded to a full Consulate General last year.

The UK’s new Consul General, Mr Hugh Evans, and Northern Ireland Minister of Trade & Enterprise, Ms Arlene Foster, and her delegation also attended the evening reception along with a large number of KRG Ministers, members of parliament, party officials and other government representatives, as well as other local diplomats and members of the British and international business communities.

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