FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE UK AND KURDISTAN REGION IN IRAQ

That this House believes that direct flights between the UK and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq would encourage more commercial, cultural, and educational connections with Kurdistan, whose capital city has been deemed the fifth safest in the world; recognises that the Kurdistan Region is rightly proud of its security, religious tolerance and hospitality and that there is a deep esteem and affection for the UK in a place where English is the second language; further believes that direct flights would encourage the private sector in Kurdistan to develop its tourist infrastructure and that UK citizens and others using a link in London would be attracted by its cosmopolitan night-life, good hotels, restaurants of many types, the oldest city in the world, scenic natural beauty in its vast countryside with its rivers, mountains, plains and tranquillity, many archaeological sites and historical sights and buildings; welcomes the news that British Airways is considering establishing direct flights possibly in the summer of 2020; and encourages the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to revise its travel advice on travel to the Kurdistan Region.