ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A high-level delegation from Japan's foreign ministry on Tuesday held meetings with Kurdistan Region's leaders, discussing the recent drone attack on the Region's key gas field.
The delegation was led by Masamichi Sugaya, Director at Japanese foreign ministry's Middle East Division.
"The visiting delegation condemned the attack on Khor Mor, reaffirmed their support for the Kurdistan Region, and expressed their readiness to further engage in reconstruction and development efforts in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region," read a statement from Kurdistan Region Presidency following the delegation's meeting with President Nechirvan Barzani.
Located in the Chamchamal district of the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province, the Khor Mor gas field came under attack on Wednesday. Power supplies sharply declined after the attack and the Region had experienced a partial blackout for days.
The delegation also held meetings with other Kurdish officials, including Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and his deputy Qubad Talabani.
"The Japanese delegation strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Khor Mor gas field and expressed solidarity with the Kurdistan Region," read a statement from Prime Minister Barzani's office.
The delegation also touched on other issues during their series of meetings in Erbil, including bilateral relations.
Several Japanese companies, particularly automobile manufacturers, have established offices in the Kurdistan Region.
Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched Iraq’s first wastewater treatment project in Erbil, a $230 million initiative aimed at providing clean water for the city and surrounding farmland, its ambassador told Rudaw earlier this month.
President Nechirvan Barzani "commended the initiatives and projects undertaken by JICA and Japanese companies, highlighting their valuable contributions to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region," read the Presidency statement.
