Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Erbil

26 to 28 September, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Erbil Mr Maxim Rubin paid a farewell visit to Sulaymaniyah and Halabja in connection with the completion of his assignment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In Sulaymaniyah, Mr Maxim Rubin held separate meetings with Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Mustafa, Governor of Sulaymaniyah Mr Haval Abubakir, and leader of the New Generation Movement Mr.Shaswar Abdulwahid. The meetings featured a candid exchange of views on current regional and international issues, the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as prospects for the further development of Russian-Kurdish relations. Mr Maxim Rubin also visited the mausoleum of former President of Iraq HE Mr Jalal Talabani, where he laid flowers and made an entry in the book of remembrance. In Halabja, at the premises of the Directorate of Culture and Arts of Halabja Province, the Consul General of Russia, together with Deputy Prime Minister HE Mr Qubad Talabani, unveiled a bust of the distinguished Soviet orientalist and academician Joseph Orbeli, who made a significant contribution to the establishment of Kurdish studies as an independent field of Russian Oriental studies. It was largely through his initiative and active involvement that a research centre for Kurdish studies was established in Leningrad in 1959, laying the foundations for the Leningrad school of comprehensive research into the history, language and culture of the Kurdish people. On the sidelines of the event, Mr Maxim Rubin held separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister HE Mr Qubad Talabani, Minister of Culture HE Mr Mohammed Said Ali, and Governor of Halabja Ms Nuxsha Nasih. The meetings paid particular attention to the further development of cultural cooperation between Russia and the Kurdistan Region, as well as to maintaining the established working and friendly ties.