By Joseph Hammond
This isn’t your father’s Middle East. China has brokered an accord between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Russia has invaded Ukraine. Azerbaijan defeated Armenia in yet another regional conflagration. The United States is increasingly absent from the region.
In that context partners that Western democracies can trust in the region are more important than ever. The Kurdish majority region of Iraq (KRG) is increasingly receiving attention as one of those potential partners. His Excellency Karwan Jamal Tahir represents the interests of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq as the nation’s High Representative in London.
“We certainly live in interesting times. While the prospect of a realignment in geopolitics can be overstated, it is certainly true that changes are afoot,” Tahir said in a recent interview in London. “The KRG will always encourage and welcome peace between our neighbours, and in turn, we wish for continued peace and partnership with our neighbours.”
The KRG has a lot to offer its allies from trade to peace-building. To show stability in an unstable wider region, as I believe we have, when there is also global instability, is a measure of our leadership. The international community can and should work with us to broker peace between our regional neighbours when there is disharmony, and also to make the most of our stability when it comes to trade and investment in both the Middle East and Eurasia.”
The war in Ukraine and other dynamics have changed the security outlook in the region. The Peshmerga, as Kurdish regional forces are known, remain pound-for-pound one of the strongest in the region, but Tahir said that the KRG’s defeat of ISIS remains incomplete.
“They remain a potent force for evil in the region and within Europe. Our intelligence and security forces are still devoted to tracking down and eliminating ISIS cells in the region, and there are still sporadic terror attacks. While the eyes of the world are understandably on Ukraine following the incursion, Western governments must continue to meet their international obligations to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Tahir sat with Zenger over coffee in London’s Traveller’s Club. Fresh from meeting the United Kingdom’s diplomats to Iraq in London, he offered some insights of use to Middle East analysts and investors on the heels of a recent joint report from the Cambridge Middle East Forum and Audere International which highlighted the importance of the UK-KRG relationship. Tahir sees plenty of room for further growth.
“Our historic relations require continued partnership and cooperation, certainly we have mutual interests which have to be nourished,” he says of the United Kingdom.
The UK has done much research and has expertise in energy, including renewables. There is an opportunity for UK businesses to take advantage of the huge opportunities for growth in the KRI energy sector which is yet to reach its full potential, especially at a time when Europe is looking to diversify its energy imports.
Investment in renewables such as solar is yet another important sector. “We are all in this together, and the UK has a responsibility as a global power to be at the forefront, engaging with their partners and allies to the fullest,” said Tahir.
Despite Bureaucratic Issues, Big Trade Potential
Tahir suggested that certain bureaucratic inefficiencies were holding up the development of trade. “What we have found is that there is a certain level of bureaucracy at the UK Government level when it comes to the trade complexities of a semi-autonomous region within a federal system that would like to do more business here in the UK. Whereas Germany (like the Gulf countries) has been able to approve our KRG quality control certificate to allow KRI imports, the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been unable to approve the certificate because of historic legislation around imports from autonomous regions.”
From the perspective of the KRG, this situation is the result of a misinterpretation of the Iraqi constitution — as an autonomous region, it can independently export goods within the federal system as per the 2005 constitution of Iraq.
The Kurdistan Region also has a lot to offer in terms of agricultural goods. The KRG has begun to take action on an ambitious export programme of KRI agricultural goods within the region and beyond. Late last year the KRG began to export its famous pomegranates to the GCC countries, he said.
“We are a fertile land which produces many high-quality goods including figs, honey, apples, grapes, and tomatoes which Europe and the UK, in particular, have a demand for in the winter months. Our famous pomegranates are now increasingly an important export, like oil and gas”. He also introduced the recent launch of the new “Invest In Kurdistan: Overview of Priority Sectors”, providing a business portal which acts as a guide for potential investors and business people.
The KRG is increasingly positioning itself as a regionally important country when it comes to security as well as trade.
“The KRG has a proud history of mutual understanding with our neighbours, who we see not as competitors but as partners and allies. Though we as the Kurds have a history of struggle against oppression and oppressive regimes, it is our fundamental belief in peace and mutual understanding which allows us to take a leading role in the region.”
Since the fall of Saddam, the KRG has played a key role in Iraq, seeking solutions to difficult regional questions in the name of peace of prosperity. Though not always easy, through dialogue based on goodwill and diplomacy, the KRG has always been keen to strike a balance with our partners in Baghdad that both respect Iraq’s 2005 constitution and works for the rights of the Kurdistan Region. However, Iraq should view the Kurdistan Region as a stable and developed part of Iraq and devolve more powers to the region to properly reflect the concept of federalism, and to build trust between the region and the federal. Adding, “We must not allow the mindset of viewing the progress in the region as a threat to Iraq’s unity.”
“The stability of the Kurdistan Region is a direct result of our semi-autonomy and the leadership of the KRG, as well as the willingness to compromise with our partners. It is because of this we were in such a strong position to win back ground against ISIS between 2014-2017, alongside the international coalition who we continue to work, train and share intelligence with today to combat the remaining ISIS threat.”
KRG Is Looking Beyond Oil
From tourism to renewables, the KRG is trying to diversify its economy. Traditionally, KRG has relied upon oil to drive its economy. Though eighty per cent of the region’s revenues come from oil it would be a mistake to see the KRG as a GCC country without maritime access. The country’s population size of roughly 7 million and its location gives it strategic market access.
Also, the region’s mountains and rivers ensure long-term water security for agricultural investments. “The Kurdistan Region, like the rest of the globe, has a clear commitment to diversify away from oil and gas in favour of renewables. FDI is going to play a key part in developing the infrastructure to make this possible. This includes the availability of capital to our farmers and landowners to develop solar capabilities,” Tahir said.
Despite the recent conflict with Da’esh, much of the KRG’s historic assets remain undamaged. Historic citadels and ruins abound for adventurous travellers and the region has mountains and waterfalls which offer picturesque hiking opportunities.
“The Kurdistan Region has a growing tourism industry. Several UK tourist companies have taken advantage of this so far, but we anticipate real growth over the next few years. The region has thousands of ancient archaeological sites of interest, as well as historic churches, temples and synagogues. We have one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world in the Zagros Mountains and plenty to do for the old-school adventurer. I think the Kurdistan Region will be a top destination for Western holiday-makers who want to experience the Middle East in a safe and stable environment.”
Trust Remains Important For Leaders Involved in Diplomacy
The diplomat stressed how important strong ties are built through proximity and trust. The alignment of the KRG and the United Kingdom on major issues in the Middle East has made Tahir’s job all the easier.
“I am fortunate that the UK Foreign Office, who I have a very close relationship with, is a historic institution filled with such talent. There are times for frank conversations when it comes to some issues, and I know I can rely on them to take my words seriously and there is a mutual understanding and an effort to solve problems whenever they may arise. It is important that there is mutual trust between us, and it has been an important part of my job to nurture that trust.”
Tahir has spent eight years in the United Kingdom and during that time has had the opportunity to build deep ties with the British people and their leaders. From the Prime Minister to the Archbishop of Canterbury, members of parliament and peers, his position has put him in contact with key leaders. The United Kingdom is also home to a large Kurdish diaspora. Many in the community fled oppression in the Middle East in the 1990s. The 2003 Iraq conflict also saw a rapid rise in the population. Between 2002 and 2022 the population doubled to roughly 100,000.
“We have an important job to do, with much responsibility. Diplomacy is not an exact science, but mistakes can have huge consequences – unlike the private sector or party politics, we must always maintain a level of neutrality on some of the biggest events affecting the globe,” he said.
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