So, the UK’s standing in Kurdistan is built on strong foundations. Iraq matters to the UK and it matters for us that Iraq works. An effective and settled federal system is central to Iraq’s political health and the fortunes of Kurdistan. Functioning democratic, federal systems are a rarity in the Middle East. But they are needed, and for the first time in decades very much in demand. Iraqi Kurdistan has made remarkable strides but it is still evolving. But it is still pretty much the best model for the region. As the most secure part of Iraq with the longest democratic roots, we see a major role for Kurdistan in Baghdad politics. Iraq needs Kurds to be as focussed and committed to Baghdad politics as they on Erbil’s. What happens in Baghdad matters for Erbil and Kurds are best placed to show the rest of Iraq a way out of the current impasse.
We want to see Kurdistan at ease with itself, secure, prosperous, engaged with key partners and free.
The advice and support that we give is focussed on that. Let me give you a snapshot. Last week, the British Council ran workshops for British, Kurdish and Arabic writers at the Erbil Literature Festival. This week, senior Kurdistan police officers are in the UK looking at how we run fire and rescue services. A UK adviser is working with the Interior Ministry on policing and women’s issues. Elsewhere, on security, we fight together in the same trench against terrorists.
UK universities are expanding their reach into Kurdistan. Bristol University’s Gender Studies Centre is doing well in Suleymaniya. I met with several university presidents each intent on developing and expanding their links with UK universities. HSBC has a group of senior investors in town. Range Rovers and Jaguars – superb British brands – are flying out of Erbil’s showrooms as fast as they can be imported. PWC are advising the KRG on transparency. A Northern Irish company won a significant order for construction equipment. Scott Wilson and GMW, the architects, are with their local partner ITSC hard at work on the ‘master plan’ for Suleymaniya airport. We are expecting British International Schools to open in Kurdistan in the autumn.
And at the Consulate we had the usual steady stream of scholars applying for and receiving visas. The UK has been Kurdistan and Iraq’s education partner of choice for decades. Iraq’s isolation disrupted that but we are now very much back on course. We are thrilled that the majority of the KRG’s scholars under the Human Capacity Development Programme are choosing to go to the UK.
That says to me that the UK’s relationship with the KRG is built upon solid foundations and built to last in the future.
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