Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her first official visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), finalizing a series of agreements aimed at addressing shared challenges, enhancing border security, and protecting lives.
During the three-day visit, Cooper engaged in high-level discussions with senior officials from both the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The UK and the KRI agreed to bolster collaboration on key issues such as combating serious organized crime and improving border security measures.
Both sides also committed to launching public awareness campaigns across Iraq and the KRI to combat misinformation propagated by people smugglers online.
The initiative aims to expose the deceptive tactics of smuggling networks and deter individuals from embarking on dangerous migration journeys by sharing real-life accounts of victims who have suffered at the hands of these criminal gangs.
The UK also agreed to provide funding to a KRI border security project.
“I want to thank my hosts for their hospitality. This is an important new partnership between the UK Government, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to build security and keep people safe.”
The visit reflects the UK’s dedication to fostering long-term stability and development in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, building on decades of close cooperation and shared goals.
The Home Secretary is the first UK Government Secretary of State to visit the country since 2021.
The Home Secretary was accompanied by the UK Government’s Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt. During her visit to Erbil, she met Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, and Minister of Interior Rebar Ahmed.
