News
Re-think for Swedish travel advice to Kurdistan
24 April 2006
Sweden's government has downgraded its advice to travellers to the autonomous Kurdish regions of Iraq.
Last Friday the three governorates of Duhok, Erbil and Sulamaniyah, part of Kurdistan, were excluded from warnings about the rest of the country's dangerous security status by the Swedish foreign ministry.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whose Nordic representative, Taha Barwary, has long lobbied for different travel advice within regions of Iraq, welcomed the decision as a 'positive signal'.
'Kurdistan has been, and continues to remain, a highly secure area for foreign visitors such as diplomats and businessmen,' Mr Barwary said.
'I sincerely hope that other foreign ministries will follow suit and acknowledge the high level of security that prevails in Kurdistan.'
Since US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003 coalition forces have struggled to maintain acceptable security levels throughout all areas of the troubled country.
Britain's Foreign Office currently warns against all travel to Baghdad and its surrounding provinces, including those in the country's north-west region, but allows essential travel to all other areas of the country.
© Adfero Ltd
Last Friday the three governorates of Duhok, Erbil and Sulamaniyah, part of Kurdistan, were excluded from warnings about the rest of the country's dangerous security status by the Swedish foreign ministry.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whose Nordic representative, Taha Barwary, has long lobbied for different travel advice within regions of Iraq, welcomed the decision as a 'positive signal'.
'Kurdistan has been, and continues to remain, a highly secure area for foreign visitors such as diplomats and businessmen,' Mr Barwary said.
'I sincerely hope that other foreign ministries will follow suit and acknowledge the high level of security that prevails in Kurdistan.'
Since US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003 coalition forces have struggled to maintain acceptable security levels throughout all areas of the troubled country.
Britain's Foreign Office currently warns against all travel to Baghdad and its surrounding provinces, including those in the country's north-west region, but allows essential travel to all other areas of the country.
© Adfero Ltd
