Istanbul, Turkey (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday met Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum event.
In the meeting both sides discussed the latest political and military developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the process of forming a new government in Iraq, the participation of the Kurdistan Region in the new cabinet in Baghdad, and the situation in the Middle East in general.
The Peshmerga forces' fight against ISIS terrorist militants, the importance of the formation of an international coalition to attack and destroy the terrorists, and international support for the Peshmerga forces in the war against the terrorists were also discussed in detail.
The humanitarian situation and the condition of Iraq’s displaced people and Syrian refugees sheltered in the Kurdistan Region were also topics in the meeting, with special attention to the provision of aid by the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region and from the international community. Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the need for the Iraqi Government and the international community to pay more attention to the plight of the refugees and the displaced. He lauded Turkey for the aid and humanitarian support provided thus far, while reiterating that the Kurdistan Region expects further humanitarian assistance from Turkey.
Both prime ministers pointed to the importance of a strong bilateral relationship between Erbil and Ankara, stressing a common goal to promote economic, commercial, and political relations as well as expanded cooperation and coordination in the energy and natural resources sector. Both sides expressed their readiness to provide all the needed facilities in this regard.
Prime Minister Barzani’s accompanying delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Minister of Natural Resources Dr Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Finance and Economy Rebaz Mohammad Hamalan, Minister of Planning Dr Ali Sindi, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa and KRG Spokesperson Minister Safeen Dizayee. The delegation participated in a number of different sessions and panels at the second day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) event.
Prime Minister Barzani headed the KRG delegation to Istanbul to participate in the WEF event upon an official invitation from Prime Minister Davutoglu and WEF Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab. Prime Minister Barzani and the delegation met Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Professor Schwab in separate meetings.
The delegation also met with a number of heads of state and senior officials from across the world and attended a dinner hosted by President Erdogan in honour of the participants of the WEF event.