Istanbul, Turkey (KRG.org) – Upon an official invitation from Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and World Economic Forum Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani headed a KRG delegation to participate in the World Economic Forum’s event in Istanbul.

The delegation met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the event.

Meeting with President Erdogan

In the meeting both sides discussed the latest political developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the Middle East in general, with particular emphasis on the terrorist attacks on the provinces of Ninevah and Salahaddin and later on the Kurdistan Region. They also discussed ongoing fighting between the Peshmerga forces and the terrorists, noting the significant territory that has been reclaimed by the Peshmerga. The political process in Iraq and its new government, headed by Prime Minister Haider Abadi, was also a topic in the meeting.

President Erdogan assured the KRG delegation that Turkey would enhance its relations with the Kurdistan Region in a better way and reiterated Turkey’s commitment to the bilateral relationship and agreements made with the Kurdistan Region across all sectors. He noted the importance of helping and supporting the Kurdistan Region even more because of the recent attacks. The President stated that Turkey has thus far provided a great deal of humanitarian aid and promised that his country would continue providing such assistance. He added that his country is in close coordination with the coalition forces in confronting terrorism and that this coordination will also include the Kurdistan Region in order to combat any threats to the broader Middle East region.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked President Erdogan for his stance and for his country’s assistance, adding that the Kurdistan Region seeks further support and assistance from Turkey. He agreed on the importance of further expanding the economic and political relationship with Turkey. Regarding relations with Baghdad, the Prime Minister noted that the Kurdistan Region chose to participate in the new Iraqi government to give the government a chance to resolve outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad. This would lead to better ties among Turkey, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, he said.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum event the delegation met with a number of heads of state and senior officials from across the world and also attended a dinner hosted by President Erdogan in honour of the participants of the event.

Meeting with World Economic Forum Chairman Professor Schwab

In the morning the delegation held a meeting with World Economic Forum Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab. In the meeting they discussed the latest political and security developments, and Professor Schwab praised the progress that has been achieved in the Kurdistan Region. He also lauded the KRG for generously sheltering more than a million Iraqi IDPs and Syrian refugees. He explained that the Kurdistan Region has garnered praise and gratitude from the entire international community because of this humanitarian gesture.

Professor Schwab stated that he hopes the international community and donor countries will pay more attention to the Kurdistan Region, adding that he wishes to visit in the near future. Prime Minister Barzani extended him an official invitation, adding that the KRG would be pleased to host a World Economic Forum event one day.

Prime Minister Barzani was accompanied by 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 KRG delegation participated in a number of different sessions and panels at the event and in meetings on the sidelines on a wide range of subjects.

Concerning the recent changes of Iraq after ISIS attacking to Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Mojgan Modarres Olum, from JARAS Press held a talk with Mr. Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran of which the main points follow:

About serious international danger of ISIS he believes ISIS is a danger for all civilization and countries. This group is the people who possesses a country and that is why it leaves nothing but killing and violating. In his view the growth of ISIS is for mismanagement of governments and their incorrect performances.

While some of them are European and are supported by European countries. Thus it is not a danger just to Iraq and Syria but all countries. That is why should begin to fight this group. Kurds have been the only group fought them sincerely.

Mr. Dabbagh in a response to a question concerning the presence of potentials for international coalition against ISIS said that the USA’s attack to ISIS has been made when the danger of ISIS got clear. ISIS follows the goals just the as Ba’aths, namely, to unify Iraq, Syria and Egypt. The west, Turkey and Saudi Arabia supported this group sometime now they have found out the danger of ISIS.

Undoubtedly if ISIS overcomes Iraq, it will attack to those countries. Nevertheless the coalition for confronting ISIS is affective when it will not superficial. He continued if international coalition does not form against ISIS, in the future ISIS will endanger them in their countries. Therefore, superficial acts does not work but deep so that after being diminished of this ISIS, another ISIS cannot substitute for it. Iran’s position indicates that it is determined to confront ISIS he said.      

Ardeshir Pashang from Iranian Diplomacy conducted an interview with Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad, the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran concerning military confrontation of KRG with ISIS (ISIL) of which important lines as followed:

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad (Jegarkhowein) the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq while mentioning that presently the war conditions indicate the strength and sturdiness of the deployment of Pishmerga military forces and their being strengthened with heavy weapon announced superiority Pishmega forces in conflict front with extremist terrorists and Takfiri of ISIS in present condition and said: the will and the ability of Pishmerga forces to defend Kurdistan, Kurdish and Iraqi people are so strong; these forces have lots of experiences of classic and specially guerilla wars; therefore the broad area of over 1500km of fronts and confrontation with suicidal attacks require special situations that luckily Pishmerga forces have gained the power. Whereas I should say this news that during recent days Kurdish Pishmerga have been able to inflict the most hit and human losses on ISIS which has been so considerable as compared with late couple weeks.

He continued to say by Mr. Barzani’s order to call backup forces to support military operation against ISIS and then added that military operation of USA could inflict great hit on ISIS and we hope it to be continued.

Dr. Ahmad continued that in spite of public, military and political power KRG is not such powerful in economic and presently cannot accept refugees over 1000000. He went on that all Iraq’s and the Region’s friends and allies including Iran have helped this government.  Some Kurdish authorities appreciated Tehran due to these aides. In addition Dr. Ahmad while mentioning Mr. Yunosi’s talk, special assistant of the president of Iran in tribal and religious affairs said: I am so pleased that he as the representative of Iran government announced his position and opinion about sustained losses against Kurds and following dangers and this support has caused us to be happy and warm.

The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about the soon fall of Shengal and Zumar said first these two towns were under the control of Iraq army secondly Pishmerga forces presence was limited in these towns and at last unusual kind of ISIL attack typically accompanied with unrecorded violence and cruelty against civilians was considered the reason of the fall.

He said major withdraws of KRG were in the regions which regarding military geography was less important and were carried out on a completely limited level and according to definite military tactics to save civilians’ lives. At last he deemed the civilians’ conditions of Shengal mounts so painful and bitter and said about the emergence of human disaster of Izadi Kurdish refugees in this mount.  He added that this disastrous condition had a nationwide reflection; and even followed the announcement of Security Council. He said many of aged people and children have lost their lives for killing heat, thirstiness and hungriness. Now most of them due to air-aiding on the behalf of the USA and Iraq forces have been transferred to a safe place.  

Iran press, in the thick of Iraq struggles, held a meeting to decode ideological background of Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) and to map the movements of this extremist cell. Masood Asadollahi the experts and knowledgeable in Arab world affairs, Hojatollah Judaki the researcher and expert in Middle East and Islam world affairs and Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran to accept Iran’s invitation, proceeded with the matter of ISIS.

In this meeting Nazem Dabbagh concerning the time when the signs of takfiri (unchurching) appeared in Iraq said this case had got to be considered in detail. In his view the emergence of takfiri idea was the results of a process which was managed by the west.  For while the west took advantage the takfiri groups to stand against the communism influence in the region. One instance was the groups like Al-Qaeda.

Even Saddam at a moment tended Islamism and printed the word ‘Allaho Akbar’ (Great God) on the flag of Iraq. Therefore, after September 11^th, they felt the danger. That was why they drew decision to react it. When the crisis began in Syria, several groups unified and formed free army of Syria while some of them were takfiris. The government s like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar supported them with the aim of helping Syria nation. Presently 13 groups of Ba’ath under different titles have joined ISIS. Dabbagh in a part of his phrases mentioned the Saudi Arabia role to create a group called tribal revolutionary council to charge the actions of ISIS in Mosul, Tikrit and Samarra with this group.

About the correctness of a scenario concerning Kurds supporting the move weakening Mr. Maliki he was asked. He responded there were two concerns causing the struggles between Maliki and the KRG. One was the lands which accordance with article 140 has not assigned to the Region, and the other was Mr. Maliki policies which are more hegemonic than democratic. He continued that before ISIS transferring to Mosul we warned Mr.

Barezani twice about the suspicious moves in Mosul, but he did not notice. We entered Kirkuk when Iraq Army fell. Mr. Dabbagh said to exit the current crisis the conditions of the establishment of a democratic government with the participation of all groups have to be made. In present situation Iraq are divided into three parts Shia, Sunni and Kurds. Whether we should tend to con-federalism, namely, three independent allied governments with their own authorities, or does to federalism.

In a response to a question Nazem Dabbagh said the KRG which was occupied by Pishmerga was abandoned by Iraq Army; for preventing ISIS to flow this region Kurds entered. Thus, there was no intention to invade or to take points. He added that it is Iran’s gain to have a Kurdish and Shia neigbour on the west. He also mentioned the aids and cooperation of Iran nation during Royal era and Islamic Republic.

To complete a participant’s phrases Dabbagh said that the president of KRG appreciated the necessity of the unification with Shia. They may enter the oil-rich regions on the north of Iraq or be employed by Turkey to react P.K.K. Thus the leadership of the Region realizes the necessity of unification with Shia. This unification make guarantee the maintenance of Iraq unity. They say they are concerned about Nuri Al-Maliki policies but Shia.