IRAQ / GUTERRES KURDISTAN REGION

STORY: IRAQ / GUTERRES KURDISTAN REGION
TRT: 02:14
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 02 MARCH 2023, ERBIL, KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ / NINEWA GOVERNORATE, IRAQ

SHOTLIST:

02 MARCH 2023, ERBIL, KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ

1. Various shots, Secretary-General António Guterres’ arrival at Erbil International Airport, walking with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani
2. Wide shot, Guterres’ arrival at Kurdistan Region Presidency
3. Wide shot, Secretary-General and delegation walking with Barzani
4. Pan left, Guterres shaking hands with local officials
5. Various shots, Guterres meeting with Barzani
6. Various shots, Guterres meeting with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Moving from constant crisis management to a more structured, institutionalized dialogue is in the interest – and to the benefit – of all. A number of issues require agreement, including: the 2023 federal budget, the oil and gas law, stronger security cooperation, the swift implementation of the Sinjar agreement, and the finalization of the Kirkuk Dialogue. But in my discussions, both here and in Baghdad, I sensed a genuine commitment to move forward, and I urge all to translate this commitment into reality.”
8. Wide shot, end of briefing
9. Wide shot, Guterres meeting with Prime Minister Barzani
10. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and good neighbourliness is essential at all times. I urge all to pursue dialogue and diplomacy and exercise maximum restraint to prevent further instability and contain the risks of regional escalation.”
11. Wide shot, end of briefing

02 MARCH 2023, JEDDAH REHABILITATION CENTRE, NINEWA GOVERNORATE, IRAQ

9. Various shots, Secretary-General António Guterres’ meeting with returnees

STORYLINE:

Visiting Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Secretary-General António Guterres today (2 Mar) said both there and in Baghdad, he had sensed “a genuine commitment to move forward” and urged all “to translate this commitment into reality.”

After meeting Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and other local official Guterres spoke to reporters and said, “moving from constant crisis management to a more structured, institutionalized dialogue is in the interest – and to the benefit – of all.”

He noted that “a number of issues require agreement,” including the 2023 federal budget, the oil and gas law, stronger security cooperation, the swift implementation of the Sinjar agreement, and the finalization of the Kirkuk Dialogue.

Guterres said, “full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and good neighbourliness is essential at all times. I urge all to pursue dialogue and diplomacy and exercise maximum restraint to prevent further instability and contain the risks of regional escalation.”

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General visited the Jeddah Rehabilitation Centre in northern Iraq, where he met returnees from the notorious Al-Hol camp, whose residents are mainly women and children under 12.