Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today received Danielle Mitterrand, a long-time Kurdish friend and the widow of François Mitterrand and president of the foundation France Libertés Fondation Danielle Mitterrand.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Mitterrand attended a session of the recently-inaugurated Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament. In remarks to the session, she urged all parliamentary factions to be united in facing the various challenges facing the Kurdistan Region. She also talked about her experiences with the Iraqi Kurds since 1991 when she visited the Region through Iran.

“There are now several Western consulate offices in your Region. Your government could also try to open diplomatic and cultural offices in these countries and use this opportunity to establish strong relations and make more friends,” she remarked.

Mrs. Mitterrand, a long time supporter and champion of Kurdish rights, is visiting the Kurdistan Region on an official invitation by President Barzani. She is also here to open two French-language schools in the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniya.