Kurdistan Regional Government
WED, 19 JUN 2013 12:58 Erbil, GMT +3
English LngSep Kurdî LngSep کوردی LngSep عربی

French Consul announces departure at Bastille Day celebration

TUE, 17 JUL 2012 13:41 | KRG.org

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq - (KRG.org) – The Consulate General of the Republic of France organised a large reception in Erbil on Saturday to mark Bastille Day – France’s National Day, and announce the departure of Consul General Dr Frederic Tissot.

The Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani joined Dr Tissot and a number of other senior officials and representatives to mark the occasion.

Dr Tissot concludes his tenure in Kurdistan after serving in for five years as France’s Consul General in the Region. Sharing his experiences, he said that he hoped the people of Kurdistan would remember him for his contributions in raising awareness about their suffering alongside the late Danielle Mitterrand.

“I have been in Kurdistan for over three decades, including five years as Consul General, and I have tried to help the Kurdish people to the best of my ability, especially during the uprising in 1991,” he said.

Dr Tissot also said that by the end of this year the Consulate General will begin issuing French Schengen visas in Erbil to pave the way for more visiting students and tourists.



“Today, the Kurdish people have an elected government, parliament and president, and I am extremely pleased to have witnessed this experience. I am confident that Kurdistan will continue to progress from here on, especially in the political and economic spheres,” he added.

President Barzani highlighted the fact that many countries continue to reflect on the experience of France and its democratic freedoms and values. He said, “We will do everything we can to make sure that Iraq also follows the same path, and if we were not able to realise that in Iraq then we will ensure that we at least follow this path in Kurdistan”.

“We will not give up on the democratic system that we have embarked on, and all of our steps will be based on democratic principles,” added President Barzani.

The President also said that he and the Kurdish people consider Dr Tissot to be a close and dear friend. “The name ‘Peshmerga’ is symbolic and sacred to our people, and today I am honoured to call you a Peshmerga,” he said.

In June 2008, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Bernard Kouchner visited the Kurdistan Region to inaugurate their Consulate General, being one of the first European countries to establish a strong diplomatic presence in Erbil.

A large number of Kurdish government and party officials, diplomats, business and community representatives and French nationals working in Kurdistan also attended the event.

Latest Articles

EU High Representative Ashton visits the Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Iraq (KRG.org) – The Kurdistan Region’s President and Prime Minister on Monday in Erbil met with the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, on her first visit to the Region. The EU’s High Representative visited Erbil to discuss Iraq’s currently instability and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with the federal government. 

President Barzani and US State Department official discuss Iraq, Syria

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRP.org) – President Masoud Barzani met with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Brett McGurk, to discuss the recent political developments in Iraq and in the wider region.

A thriving American legacy in Iraq

President Barzani Receives Prime Minister Maliki

BBC video report: Halabja chemical attack victims demand justice in Paris court

Victims of Saddam-era poison gas attack on Kurds demand French investigation into suppliers

Kurds who suffered Saddam Hussein chemical weapons attack accuse French suppliers

June edition of The Review highlights oil and gas

Video: Erbil: Iraq's new tourist magnet

President Barzani meets senior US Government delegation



    © 2013 Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG