Hungarian PM praises Iraqi Kurd leader for political bravery

Addressing a joint news conference here on Monday following a meeting of the two officials, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, a politically brave leader whom Hungarians respect.

Orban reminded his audience of the difficulties Kurdish Iraq has been facing in its efforts to overcome the terrorist organization calling itself Islamic State, and once again pledged Hungary's assistance.

He pointed out that Hungary had opened a consulate in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan region and a city with about a million and a half residents, and underlined that it had always called for the full involvement of the Sunni and Kurdish communities in political dialogue.

Regarding the troops Hungary is preparing to send to the Kurdistan Region to help train local forces, Orban said that the Hungarian officers were already onsite preparing for the troops. While the primary beneficiaries of stability in the region would be the local residents, he added, stability was also important to the West and Europe.

Stabilizing the Middle East and North Africa is the only way to manage the immigration pressure from these regions, where the Islamic State has become a widespread threat and factor of destabilization, he said.

This is why Europe must support all peace efforts aimed primarily at putting an end to terrorist organizations, and secondarily at achieving economic stability.

Hungary's parliament voted on April 14 to send a maximum of 150 soldiers to a training center in Erbil. Under the current decision, the Hungarian troops will remain in Erbil until December 31, 2017. Endit