Salahadin,Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (KRP.org)- Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkey's new ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Farouq Qaemakchi at his office in Salahadin today. During the meeting the President and the Turkish Ambassador discussed bilateral relations and exchanged their views on the latest developments in Iraq.

Ambassador Qaemakchi stated his optimism on the situation and hoped for a brighter future for Iraq and continued brotherly relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. The Ambassador made note of what he described as the "historic" visit to Diyarbakir by the President last November and said that that visit "broke a number of barriers."

President Barzani wished him success at his new post and hoped for a continuation of the good relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

On the dispute with Baghdad over energy exports, the President stated that the KRG energy policy is completely in line with the Iraqi constitution and that the KRG has the right to develop its energy sector.

He attributed the current political and security problems to the wrong policies of the rulers of Iraq. He also criticized the Iraqi government's decision to withhold the KRG share of the budget, including the salaries of KRG staff, saying that this amounts to a declaration of war on the people of the Kurdistan Region.