ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced that the first Kurdistan Friendship Group in the European Parliament will resume its work.

Following tireless lobbying efforts by the KRG Delegation to the European Union, the European Friends of Kurdistan Group was established in 2013 as the first group of European parliamentarians dedicated to promoting and defending the rights and interests of the Kurdistan Region.

During an official visit to the European Parliament in November 2014, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani officially announced the establishment of the group.

The Friends of Kurdistan Group included representatives from all factions in the European Parliament, comprising 35 parliamentarians from various European countries.

Dilawar Azhgayi, the KRG Representative to the European Union, told BasNews that the group was the first Kurdish friendship group in Europe and played a significant role in raising awareness about the war against the Islamic State.

“Although the group’s activities were interrupted during the coronavirus crisis and the end of the previous European Parliament session, we have recently held many meetings with European parliamentarians to reactivate it,” Azhgayi stated.

The KRG Representative also emphasised that just as the Kurdistan Friendship Group was the first Kurdish lobby group and inspired the formation of others, efforts are now underway to revitalise the group to protect and advocate for the rights and demands of the Kurdistan Region.