Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of Iraq concerning (1) the resumption of international flights to and from Erbil, and (2) the release of funds for the re-building of several war-damaged Iraqi cities.

We continue to encourage both the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government to reach agreement over Federal control and joint management of borders and, with that, a resumption of international flights to Kurdistan's airports. The Prime Minister underlined this message in discussions with Prime Minister Abadi during her visit to Iraq on 29 November and in discussions with the Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on 12 December. The Foreign Secretary and the the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa have relayed this message during conversations with Prime Minister Abadi, the Minister of Interior and Foreign Minister. Our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate-General in Erbil are also working with partners to encourage the parties to resolve these issues.

We are making the case to the Government of Iraq to release funds to rebuild liberated areas and to implement the economic reforms necessary to attract greater foreign investment.