The KRG established the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) in September 2006, with its Head at ministerial rank, to conduct relations with the international community. Today, the DFR is an integral part of the government, with a wide ranging portfolio of responsibilities. The KRG also has several representative offices worldwide.

The DFR and Iraq's Foreign Ministry in Baghdad work in concert to further activities of the country and the Region abroad.

Mr Bakir’s vision is to "facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between the Kurdistan Region and members of the international community." The DFR has served as a conduit for international diplomats and business representatives in this regard, and has witnessed a rapid expansion of foreign representations in the Region.

The DFR is the main point of contact between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the many offices maintained by foreign governments in Erbil. France, Germany, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Russian Federation have opened consulates general in Erbil. The Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom both maintain an embassy office in the Region, while Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Italy hold economic or trade offices. Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden have appointed honorary consuls to the Region, and the United States is represented by its regional reconstruction team.

Full details of the DFR's structure and responsiblities are delineated in Executive Order No. 143.

The Department is responsible for organising and executing the visits of political and business delegations to the Region. To promote direct foreign investment in the Region, the DFR works closely with the Kurdistan Region Board of Investment to ensure productive visits for business delegations.

The DFR also oversees the activities of the foreign representative offices maintained by the KRG around the world, and maintains contact with diaspora communities abroad. It is charged with assessing the effectiveness of these offices, and with developing a strategic plan for KRG representation abroad. For more information of these offices please click here.

The DFR is a key resource for international journalists visiting the Region and can arrange interviews with government offices and Regional businesses.

The DFR is the front door to the KRG and the Kurdistan Region. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of service. The most effective way to do this is by emailing dfr(at)krg.org

See also:

• Executive Order No. 143 delineating the structure of the Department of Foreign Relations.
  
• The KRG’s representations worldwide.