ERBIL — Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and the world, on Tuesday lauded the peaceful coexistence of communities of all ethic and religious backgrounds in the Kurdistan Region.

Addressing a gathering of diplomats, intellectuals and government officials at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum in Duhok city today, the Christian leader praised the efforts made by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to protect and strength the spirit of mutual acceptance among all faiths in the Region.

He noted that he had previously requested from the federal government of Iraq to add a special ministry to deal with the affairs of minorities in the country, but was turned down.

Ethnic and religious minorities in the Kurdistan Region have been allocated 11 quota seats in Kurdistan's national assembly to represent their communities, and ensure an inclusive legislature that reflects all voices irrespective of their ethnic or religious background.

Christians living in Kurdistan have been allocated five seats in the Region's parliament to represent their voices, and reflect Kurdistan's diverse ethnic and religious fabric.