Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - On the sidelines of the annual Sulaimani Forum, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received Ambassador Ilya Morgunov, Russian Federation ambassador to Iraq and his accompanying delegation, which included the Russian Consul General to the Kurdistan Region and a number of Russian officials.

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the war against terrorism in Kurdistan, Iraq and Syria and the possible repercussions of the war on the entire region.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked the Russian Federation for the military aid provided very recently to the Kurdistan Region, and reiterated Kurdistan Region’s desire to develop its relations with the Russian Federation. He stressed that in order to eliminate the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga Forces continuously need the support of the international community.

The two sides also discussed the relations between Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government of Iraq, highlighting the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad. In this regard, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region has still the desire to settle all the problems and differences through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Meantime, Prime Minister Barzani stressed that a new form of relations between Erbil and Baghdad should be found as all previous forms have failed.

On his side, the Russian ambassador expressed his satisfaction with his meeting with Prime Minister Barzani, reiterating his country's readiness to support the Kurdistan Region in the war against ISIS.

About the reasons of outstanding increase of Kurds’ role in Syria followed by domestic crisis of this country, Iran Press had an interview with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Regional Governemt of Iraq in Iran and one of the senior experts in Kurdish affairs of which its outlines follow:
In the response to the first question, Nazem Dabbagh replied that after the emergence of ISIS phenomena and opposition of Syria, Kurds had an opportunity to refresh and assert them. Through occurred conditions they pursued to restore their wasted rights, so did they start to fight against terrorists and interfering forces. What characteristics of Kurds warriers that differ from other fighters is their sincerity, bravery and courage. He continued: according the constitution, the first aim is to protect existence of their policy and military. After the fight between Bashar Assad’s government and oppositions commenced, Kurds started to fight its territory rather than supporting them; so they avoided fight and tension with Syria Regime. While it seems when ISIS and Al-Nosrah Front threat goes on, Kurds will also avoid fight with Syria Regime.
The representative of Kurdistan Region in Iran relating to the close relationship with Syrian Kurds with P.K.K and Ankara’s policy said that Syrian Kurds and P.K.K have many common ideological and structural characteristic. Syrian Kurdish party is a branch of Turkish Labors. Thus it needs to be mentioned that these groups are obedient to the Constitution of their countries; and their cooperation does not mean estrangement between them and their political regimes. This is truer for Syrian Kurds. Concerning with hardware entrance of Turkey it needs to be indicated that Ankara has involved in serious strategic mistakes in the field of changes of Syria. Disregarding the roots of crisis, by their unexamined acts they have made Syria security.

On the occasion of Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani sent his best wishes to the people of Kurdistan and hailed the sacrifices and bravery of the peshmerga forces in defending Kurdistan against ISIS. 

In his message the President voiced his deep concern about the escalation of violence in Turkey, and expressed his hope for a speedy end to this violence and the prevention of further escalation to communal strife. 

On Syria, the President expressed his support for the proposed federal solution for the future of the country and added that all sides must come to agreement for this to succeed. 

In his message the President also talked about the question of Kurdistan Region Presidency, and repeated his call on the political parties to end this political impasse. He stated that the best way forward is to reactivate the parliament, elect a new presidency for the parliament, and form a new cabinet for the KRG. 

The President reassured the people of Kurdistan that the economic crisis will not last and thanked the people for their patience and resilience during this crisis. He said that the reform package that has been announced will soon deliver positive results, and will help ease the economic crisis. 

On relations with Baghdad, the President said, “we have two options before us: either we forget the struggles and sacrifices of our people in the last hundred years, or the current situation and the mature of our relationship with Baghdad must change. We will not accept to be subordinates to Baghdad, and Baghdad does not accept our partnership. Independence for Kurdistan is a peaceful call and is not a threat to anyone. We want to reach an amicable agreement with Baghdad on this question through mutual understanding. Before holding the referendum, the Kurdistan Region will engage in a serious and frank dialogue with Baghdad on our disputes and relationship.”

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United Nations delegation today headed by Mr. Jan Kubis, the Special Representative of the United Nations in Iraq.

Mr. Kubis and President Barzani discussed the latest military developments against the terrorists of the Islamic State. The two spoke of the details of the Sinjar operation of last month. Mr. Kubis offered his congratulations to the Peshmerga forces' victory in the Sinjar operation. He also reiterated the United Nations' appreciation for the role of the Kurdistan Region for providing safe refuge to the IDPs from the rest of Iraq and refugees from Syria, adding that they are mindful of the heavy cost of such endeavors on the Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with United States Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Salahhadin to discuss the ongoing efforts to defeat ISIS, and security and political developments in Iraq and in Syria.

Mr. Blinken praised the military successes of the peshmerga forces against ISIS terrorists in recent months, especially the recapture of the town of Sinjar last week. He stated that the United States government would continue to support the peshmerga forces. 

President Barzani said that without air support from the US and other coalition partners, the liberation of Sinjar would not have been possible. He reiterated his thanks to the US and other coalition countries. The President added that the liberation of Sinjar demonstrated that with close cooperation and coordination, ISIS can be defeated. 

The President and the US Deputy Secretary of State also underlined the urgent need to help rebuild Sinjar following its liberation.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Norway’s Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide in his office in Salahaddin today. 

In their meeting, President Barzani and the Norwegian Ministers discussed Norway’s role, as part of the international coalition against ISIS, in supporting the peshmerga forces with training and capacity building. They also discussed political developments in the country and in the wider region.

Foreign Minister Brende commended the role of President Barzani in leading the peshmerga forces against ISIS terrorists and for his personal involvement in supervising battles in the front lines against the terrorists. He reiterated his country’s commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces in confronting the terrorists’ threat. 

President Barzani thanked Norway’s for its support and expressed his hope that this cooperation can be further strengthened. He said the with the support of Norway and other coalition partners the peshmerga forces have been able to stand up to the ISIS terrorists and inflict many losses on them. 
On the political developments in Kurdistan, the President said that what is happening is a natural outcome of a democratic process, emphasizing that the political disputes between the parties have not in any way affected the morale of the peshmerga forces. 

The President and the Norwegian delegation also discussed developments in Syria and in Turkey. On the current conflict between Turkey and the PKK, the President said that the only solution is going back to negotiations, and the KRG is ready to help restart the peace process. 

Mustafa Dehghan and Maryam Yousefi from Ana news agency had a comprehensive talk with Mr. Nazem Dabbagh and asked him many questions about different aspects of Iraq and Kurdistan Region, as well as Iran’s and KRG relations, of which the outlines as followed:

Relating the warnings to Mr. Maliki about impending danger Nazem Dabbagh was asked. He replied that our intelligence agency found out moves on behalf of ISIS but he discarded. Our warnings concerned with the unity and cooperation of some Sunnis, the members of the army, Tikrit people, Mosul and Samara with ISIS. In the answer to a question about the meeting KRG heads with ISIS members he said there was no such meeting. Since KRG cannot both to warn central government and to cooperate with ISIS. While at that time some Sunnis groups presented in Kurdistan and KRG was in touch with them. After a while some of them joined ISIS. In his view ISIS was not created both by us or central government, it was formed in the region 100 years ago. He continued that ISIS would soon be vanished. He added that ISIS has occupied Mosul, I predicted ISIS first attack Baghdad and then the Region all. He clarified that the differences between KRG and central government was effective in the Region’s function relating ISIS. Dabbagh added when Haydar-Al-Ebadi came to power as if there has been a new though dominating central government, thus it has provided the possible of more of cooperation of both sides.

The other part of the talk was about the independence of the Region of Iraq. Dabbagh said the Region has always been trying to move according to the constitution, while it has shown his tendency to be independence. It is meant the Region is looking for independence but it will not do it without Central government’s agreement. He said in his opinion Maliki’s coming to power and his resigning was common view of Iran-America. Similarly he added the achievement of agreement will help to increase the security in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Concerning the possibility of the Region and Israel’s cooperation he said the region has four borders with four countries, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. Presently we have relationship with Iran, and in the current conditions of the region we cannot think of political relation with Israel in the future, nor are we willing to make Arabian and Muslim countries enemy with us. He said although Jewish live in the Region, there are no Israelis there.

Another part of talks was about Kubaney. Dabbagh said that Kurds of Kubaney tend to P.K.K, thus Turkish government helped them late. But KRG sent 150 troops there three times. He continued the reconstruction of Kubaney has not started yet but programming to reconstruct it is being carried out.    

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter-ISIL, Mr. Brett McGurk, and his accompanying military and diplomatic delegation.

The security situation in Iraq in general and anticipated liberation campaigns of Anbar and Mosul in particular were discussed.

They also discussed maintaining coalition airstrikes in support of Peshmerga forces, and also in Anbar and Hasaka, (Syria).

The U.S delegation emphasised the need for effective mechanisms to prevent radical jihadists joining the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, as well as ways to assist Sunnis to confront ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his hope for coalition forces to further train Iraqi military, police, and Peshmerga forces, and extend military operations to accelerate eradicating the ISIS terrorist organization and normalise the region.

Regarding the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the current situation is not sustainable.  He said Baghdad continues to reduce funding the Region in breach of last December’s agreement and the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015 at a time when the Region is serving the needs of nearly two million displaced people and fighting ISIS.

He noted that if the Constitution was fully respected three years ago, Iraq would never have seen these days.