The Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations

Early Life and Political Background

The KRG established the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) in September 2006 to conduct relations with the international community. Today, the DFR is an integral part of the government, with a wide ranging portfolio of responsibilities. The KRG also has several representative offices worldwide.
The KRG Department of Foreign Relations is mandated to promote the interests of the Kurdistan Region and its people in regard to relations with the international community and in accordance with the Region’s legislation and the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq.

The key responsibilities of the department include:

• Strengthening bilateral relations with the international community
• Promoting trade, investment, tourism and institutional ties
• Supervising the KRG's offices overseas
• Liaising with the diplomatic community in the Kurdistan region
• Organising the visits of political and economic delegations to the Kurdistan Region
• Coordinating and organising KRG relations with the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Iraqi embassies abroad
• Conducting and supporting activities that enhance the image of the Kurdistan region