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“The Kurdish struggle represents freedom and gender equality. We consistently support it because it deeply moves us,” said Hidalgo.
On Friday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo delivered a speech during the inauguration of Peshmerga Alley and a park dedicated to the Peshmerga at Parc André Citroën, reaffirming France’s enduring solidarity with the Kurdish people.
Welcoming President Masoud Barzani and other Kurdish leaders, Hidalgo described the tribute as a symbol of “friendship and affection from the Kurdish people to the French.” She hailed the Peshmerga as a global emblem of freedom, equality, and resilience, affirming that Paris stands with them.“The Kurdish people’s fight represents liberty and equality between men and women. We support it wholeheartedly because it deeply touches us,” Hidalgo stated.
She recalled her visit to the Kurdistan Region in 2015, when Peshmerga forces were battling ISIS. “When I visited Erbil, the Peshmerga were confronting ISIS. I felt a connection to the pain Paris had experienced from terrorism. Your courage moved me,” she said.
Hidalgo also mentioned her return to Kurdistan in 2023 for the opening of the Barzani Museum in Barzan, which she described as a “warm and meaningful event.”
Proud to welcome Barzani to Paris, she noted that the newly named alley and park would remain lasting testaments to the Peshmerga’s sacrifices. She stressed:“The Kurds and the Peshmerga are united by their shared pursuit of independence, freedom, and rights—values we deeply respect in Paris.”
Drawing a parallel between the Peshmerga’s battle against ISIS and France’s own fight against terrorism—particularly recalling the Paris attacks of September 13—Hidalgo said:“Without your bravery, we could not have come this far. You defended universal principles both in your homeland and beyond.”
She reaffirmed France’s ongoing support for Kurdistan’s development since 2003 and commended the Peshmerga’s role in promoting women’s participation in security efforts:“The Peshmerga helped establish the Kurdistan defense force, where women fought bravely alongside men. This reflects our admiration for those women who stood strong in battle.”
Earlier in the ceremony, President Barzani described the occasion as a “historic moment for the Kurdish people.”
Franco-Kurdish Relations Continue to Grow
Relations between France and the Kurdistan Region remain strong, expanding through cooperation in culture, education, and economics. Diplomatic ties are reinforced by the French Consulate in Erbil and the KRG’s representation in France.
France continues to support the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in promoting peace, stability, counter-terrorism, and dialogue-based solutions to conflict. The partnership also enables cultural exchange, educational collaboration, and humanitarian aid, especially for displaced communities and post-conflict reconstruction.