The fist panel is underway on "Changes in Global Energy Security and Competition in the Middle East"
"The Kurdistan Regions needs a great strategy for [gas] exports", Mills said as the new alternatives to Russian gas are being sought for globally
"When you eliminate the world's largest gas exporting country as a serious power from its biggest market, everbody has to adjust," Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy said
"The United States is watching to see - can Iraq implement an agreement for the budget for the oil and gas law? Can the Kurdistan Region be unified as a representative for the Kurds in Baghdad?" Matthew Zais questioned. #ErbilForum2023
"They [Erbil and Baghdad] need to go and find a common understanding on how they want the relationship to be," Ahmed Tabaqchali said #ErbilForum2023
"The oil sector is a miracle - going from 0 to 450,000 barrels in 15 years, and that has been done with zero domestic funding - all from international investment," Matthew Zais said. "International capital has a lot of places to go." #ErbilForum2023
"As an Iraqi who lived and knew what it was like to have a very, very strong center, none of us actually want to return to something like that," Ahmed Tabaqchali said. #ErbilForum2023
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"There is a war of intentions between all the international and regional factors in Iraq" said Abas Al-Amri, General Secretary of Coordination Framework
The next panel is James Jeffery, former ambassador to Iraq and Turkey talking about "Turkey's Centennial: 100 hundred years after the Ottoman Empire" moderated by Dr. Mohammed Shareef #ErbilForum2023
"Strategic, strong, surrounded, and status quo" former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey James Jeffery said describing Turkey #ErbilForum2023
"It not only has the second biggest NATO force, it knows how to use it and it is an experienced force," Jeffrey said about the Turkish army while noting the country's "strong" capabilities to deal with challenges. #ErbilForum2023
Second session of the #ErbilForum2023 is underway, discussing Digital Transformation in the KRI; Challenges, Successes, and a Development Strategy for the MENA region
"Access to finance is also being pushed in KRI through new initiatives ... which I believe will bring a lot of help to startups in their early stages," Mustafa Dawood, Executive Director at the Station Foundation for Entrepreneurship said. #ErbilForum2023
"We see that women could be left behind in this digital transformation," @krahamtalabany said at the #ErbilForum 2023, outlining the risks that come with digital transformation.
Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani speaks at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum. #MEPS19pscp.tv/w/cKUWXzFXZ0tn…
'Unfortunately the level of assistance seen so far, is not to the extent that can elevate the burden on the KRG itself' — Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani criticises Baghdad and the international community for inability to assist KRG in hosting refugees and IDPs.
'We call on the international community to help us [...] to help us take care of refugees [...] and help refugees return to their homes' — KRG PM Masrour Barzani.
Thread: Full text of Joint Turkish-US Statement on Northeast Syria:
1. The US and Turkey reaffirm their relationship as fellow members of NATO. The US understands Turkey’s legitimate security concerns on Turkey’s southern border.
2. Turkey and the US agree that the conditions on the ground, northeast Syria in particular, necessitate closer coordination on the basis of common interests.
3. Turkey and the US remain committed to protecting NATO territories and NATO populations against all threats with the solid understanding of “one for all and all for one”.