EUAM Iraq representatives visited various sites in the Iraqi region of Kurdistan between March 13 and 18 to underline the Mission’s commitment in the region and discuss EUAM Iraq’s support in the area through its regional presence in Erbil.

The tour started with a visit to the Mosul area on 12 March to witness the areas most affected by Daesh’s destruction and highlight the Mission’s work on Cultural Heritage Protection.

At the Mosul Civilization Museum, EUAM Iraq’s Head of Mission a.i., Ms. Anne Meskanen met with the museum’s director, Mr. Zaid Ghazi Saadallah, who showed how local institutions, supported by international organizations like the World Monument Fund, the Louvre Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, are working cooperatively to refurbish the building and to restore the collections.

The visit continued at the Al Nouri Mosque where Ms. Anne Meskanen and Mr. Silvio Mele, EUAM Iraq’s Senior Strategic Advisor on Cultural Heritage, briefed Mr. Khairuldeen Ahmed Nasir, Director of Niniwe Antiquities and Heritage Office, Mr. Maher Taha Esmaeel, Representative of Sunni Waqf and other representatives from UNESCO, about the Mission’s efforts in the protection of cultural heritage. 

The presentation of EUAM Iraq's work on cultural heritage protection included overview of a stolen works of art database being currently developed, to help law enforcement agencies tackle investigations against cultural-related organized crime. Mr. Silvio Mele explained how the new cutting edge IT system could store information regarding stolen or missing works of art and share it with the international police community in order to hinder the illegal worldwide market. 

The visit in the Mosul area was concluded at the fascinating archaeological site of Niniwe where Mr. Khairuldeen presented the latest discoveries and future challenges.

On 13th of March 2022, EUAM Iraq Head of Mission a. i. Ms Anne Meskanen visited the memorials of Mustafa Barzani and the Barzani genocide museum in northern Kurdistan together with the mission members permanently located in Erbil. Ms. Meskanen laid a wreath on the grave of Mustafa Barzani and on behalf of EUAM Iraq signed the guest book at the museum.

On 15th of March 2022, Ms. Meskanen together with the Ambassador of EU Delegation in Iraq, Mr. Ville Varjola, met with the president of Kurdistan, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Mr. Masrour Barzani  as well as a meeting with the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rebar Ahmed. In all the three meetings, the overall situation and challenges of the Kurdistan region were discussed as well as how the EU Delegation or EUAM Iraq can support the region.

During the last meeting, Ms. Meskanen underlined the importance of the excellent cooperation between EUAM Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior and highlighted that with the new mission mandate starting in May, the permanent presence of EUAM Iraq will be increased in Erbil.

On the following day, the tour continued with a visit to Halabja to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the chemical attack on the city. It is the site of the worst chemical attack ever carried out against a civilian population in history.

The regional tour ended on March 17 with the EUAM Iraq delegation visiting the Police Academy of Suleymania and the genocide museum of Amna Suraka and then, together with the EU delegation, the governor of Suleymania, Dr. Haval Abubakir and chairman of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Mr. Bafel Talabani.

After the meetings, the EU ambassador Mr. Ville Varjola and the EUAM Iraq Head of Mission a.i., Ms. Anne Meskanen laid wreaths to the grave of the late Jalal Talabani and signed the memorial guestbook on behalf of both organisations.