Belgium–Kurdistan Region relations

Belgium–Kurdistan Region relations are bilateral relations between Belgium and Kurdistan Region[1]. Belgium has no representation in Kurdistan Region and the latter has no representation in Belgium. Kurdistan Region's representation to the European Union is located in the Belgian capital of Brussels.[2] Belgium has a military presence in Kurdistan Region with circa 30 soldiers training Kurdish soldiers (Peshmerga).[3] In 2017, Kurdish President Massoud Barzani visited Belgium and met with Minister-President Geert Bourgeois of the federal region of Flanders, where the latter stated that the upcoming Kurdish referendum in September 2017 should be respected[4] and Deputy Prime Minister of the federal government in Belgium Jan Jambon has stated that all nations have the right to self-determination.[5]

Belgium–Kurdistan Region relations
Map indicating locations of Belgium and Kurdistan Region

Belgium
Kurdistan Region

History
Kurdish demonstration at Schuman, Brussels, 25 October 2017

Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht visited Erbil in May 2009 to discuss economic ties with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani.[6] In 2016, the Belgian government delivered 41 loads of medical aid to Kurdish soldiers,[7] and the regional government of Flanders decided to provide medical help for wounded Peshmerga.[8] In 2014, Flandern had already aided Kurdistan Region with 400,000 euros for sanitation and water through Red Cross.[9] That same year, Belgian politician Georges Dallemagne said that: "The Kurdistan Region has done an impressive job in sheltering IDPs and refugees and protecting and defending the civilians and ethnic and religious minority groups against the barbaric acts of Islamic State terrorists."[10] Belgium also decided to allocate 13,5 million euros to Kurdistan Region to cope with the growing number of internally displaced people.[11] In 2017, Belgium and Kurdistan Region signed an agreement on the deportation of convicted Kurdish refugees in Belgium.[12]

See also

References
  1. While Kurdistan Region refers to the autonomous Kurdish region in Northern Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan is a geographical term referring to the Kurdish area of Iraq
  2. "KRG Mission to the European Union". Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  3. "Les militaires belges sont "au front" dans le nord de l'Irak". 7sur7.be. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  4. "UPDATES: Belgian deputy PM sees referendum as 'step up' for Kurds". Rudaw. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  5. "Belgian Deputy PM says all nations have the right to self-determination". NRT. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  6. "Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Karel de Gucht promotes commercial ties with Kurdistan Region". Kurdistan Regional Government. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  7. "Belgium to send aid to Peshmerga". Waarnews. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  8. "Belgium's Flanders to treat group of wounded Peshmerga: KRG". Kurdistan24. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  9. "KRG delegation in Belgium for talks on economic ties, refugees". Rudaw. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  10. "Minister Mustafa receives a delegation from the Belgium Parliament". Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  11. "Belgium allocates 13.5 million euros in humanitarian aid to assist Iraq and help stabilise the country". Kingdom of Belgium - Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  12. "Belgium, KRG agree to deport refugees convicted of crimes to Kurdistan". NRT. June 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
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