Prime Minister Barzani meets with Turkey’s leaders

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with top leaders of Turkey for talks focused on bilateral ties and developments in the region.

During the official visit, Prime Minister Barzani met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders highlighted the need of increased cooperation among different ethnic and religious components in the region in order to end violence and protect stability and security of the region.

President Erdogan expressed his country’s readiness to provide assistance to all the relevant sides, and stressed the need of cooperation between Turkey and Iraq.  Both leaders discussed the war against the so-called Islamic State terrorist organization and other regional issues.

Prime Minister Barzani also met with his counterpart Binali Yildirim, who reaffirmed that his government is ready to further strengthen security, economic and political coordination with the Kurdistan Region, as the region is expected to face an increased economic activities after the liberation of Mosul from ISIS control.

The Turkish leader also expressed his support for the improved relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government of Iraq.  For his part, the Kurdish leader said he’s hopeful to see progress in Iraq-Turkey relations, stating that Baghdad is willing to normalize its relations with Ankara.

Prime Minister Barzani also held a meeting with Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Increased bilateral ties, the war against ISIS terror, stability of the region and other pressing issues were discussed during the meeting.