Deputy Foreign Minister Artak Apitonian who is on a visit to the Republic of Iraq, had a number of meetings with high-level officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan.

On February 24, Artak Apitonian met with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. During the meeting the parties highlighted strong historical ties and mutual sympathy of the Armenian-Kurdish peoples. Masoud Barzani highly appreciated the contribution of the Armenian community of Iraqi Kurdistan to the political, social and cultural life of the autonomy. Deputy Foreign Minister Apitonian reiterated Armenia's willingness to deepen multifaceted cooperation with Iraqi Kurdistan for the benefit of two friendly peoples. The interlocutors exchanged views on a number of issues on the regional and international agenda.

On the same day, the Deputy Foreign Minister met with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani. Congratulating on the official opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Erbil, the President of Iraqi Kurdistan expressed confidence that the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Armenia will greatly contribute to the political dialogue. Both sides stressed the need to deepen economic and trade ties, particularly in the spheres of tourism and energy, as well as in the alternative energy field.

On February 25, Artak Apitonian met with Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Masrour Barzani. During the meeting, the interlocutors comprehensively touched upon the dynamic agenda of cooperation between Armenia and Iraqi Kurdistan, emphasizing the importance of further promoting economic ties and the trade turnover. The spheres of tourism, energy, education, science and information technologies were stressed as prospective directions of cooperation. Both sides emphasized the rapid resumption of regular flights from Yerevan to Erbil, which will greatly contribute to the intercultural exchange between the two peoples and the strengthening of business ties. The sides also discussed the conduction of joint business forums.

Within the framework of the visit, Deputy Foreign Minister Artak Apitonian also met with Deputy Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Qubad Talabani. Among a number of issues of mutual interest, the opportunities of cooperation in the sphere of innovative education were also discussed.

The delegation headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia met with the Deputy Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Hemin Hawrami. Representatives of different national-religious minorities and different factions of the Kurdistan parliament attended the meeting. The parties discussed a wide range of steps aimed at strengthening inter-parliamentary ties, including within the framework of the Armenian-Iraqi inter-parliamentary friendship group. Member of the National Assembly of Armenia Rustam Bakoyan, who is in Erbil on a visit, participated in the meeting as well.