President Katalin Novák’s visit to Iraq continued in Erbil over the weekend with meeting the president of the Kurdistan Region, attending the inauguration of a school supported by the Hungary Helps Program, traveling to a town rebuilt with Hungarian help, and visiting Hungarian troops.
Katalin Novák – the first Hungarian head of state to visit the Middle Eastern country – met Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Friday.
Warm welcome in #Erbil by the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani @IKRPresident , with whom we talked about the protection of Christian communities. pic.twitter.com/7q2VqIqCI1
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) December 9, 2022
On Saturday, Katalin Novák attended the inauguration of the „Meltho” International School” in Erbil, built with the support of the Hungary Helps Program.
We Hungarians are a nation of doers. We are there where help is needed. We are respectful and do not lecture others. We want to understand and get to know our partners
the president said in her speech.
The Hungarian President traveled to Tel Askuf, a town that “had to experience the horrors caused by the Islamic State over the past decade”. “Several buildings as well as the church had to be rebuilt in the town, and Hungary played a major role in the reconstruction. As an expression of their respect towards our country, local community calls their town ‘Tel Askuf bint al Madsar’, i.e. Tel Askuf, daughter of Hungary,” Katalin Novák wrote on Facebook.
Telaskuf in Northern #Iraq had to experience the horrors of ISIS. Several buildings & the church had to be rebuilt, and #Hungary played a major role in the reconstruction. As an expression of their respect, the local community calls their town “Telaskuf, daughter of Hungary”. pic.twitter.com/GT8jg3Kh09
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) December 10, 2022
Katalin Novák visited the Hungarian troops serving in Erbil. She “conveyed the respect and thanks of the Hungarian people”, and stressed that Hungary needs experienced soldiers who have useful practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge for the protection of the homeland.
The president brought the soldiers personal Christmas gifts from their loved ones in Hungary.
Featured photo via Facebook/Novák Katalin