By Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Rudaw, Brussels- The Iraqi Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani called on the European countries to support the Kurdistan Regional Government in a speech at the European Union on Tuesday.

Barzani arrived in Europe on November 2 on a diplomatic tour to meet with European leaders. He arrived in Brussels on Tuesday to give a speech at the European Union. Barzani was received by Fiorello Provers, Struan Stevenson and Jim McEvoy from the EU Protocol department.

The Kurdish president talked about the role of the Kurdistan region in Iraq and said that he was proud of the role his region has played in promoting democracy and to hold free elections. He also talked about the situation under the regime of Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein.

EU support for Kurdistan

Barzani called on the EU to support Iraqi Kurdistan in the democratization process and the Iraqi election challenge.

The Kurdish President also called for more European investments in the region, especially in proposed energy projects like the Nabucco pipeline.

Barzani said that he wishes to follow the European model of governing and asked for Europe’s assistance to establish transparent institutions, education and health systems in Iraq Kurdistan.

Barzani also talked about KRG’s efforts to empower women and protect their rights. He said that he personally is involved in improving the situation for women in the region and combat issues such as honor killings.

The President of Iraqi Kurdistan then talked about KRG’s policy in protect the rights of ethnic groups in Kurdistan. He said that KRG is committed to guarantee the rights of Arabs, Turkmen and Christians in the region.

Supporting Turkey to address Kurdish issues

The president also called on the European countries to support KRG and emphasized that his government maintains good relations with the Turkish government.

The Kurdish president answered question of several Turkish journalists. According to the president it was too early to judge the steps of the Turkish government to address the Kurdish issues, “A peaceful political solution… is not easy, but I encourage this to continue,” he said.

The president also said that the KRG is ready to support Turkey in encouraging the Turkish Kurdish refugees who have taken shelter in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Barzani said that violence should no longer be a proffered method to achieve goals, ”There is no reason to take up arms, if there is a political process,” he said adding that the rights of Kurds should be achieved by peaceful political means in parliaments.  

The President said that Turkey’s change of policy to peacefully address the Kurdish issue is welcoming, “This is an important change in the mentality and a major development. Once you address the real causes and try to find a solution, the PKK will have no reason to take up arms and will return to a peaceful and normal life and political process.”

Kurdish parties will have a unified discourse

Asked about the future of the Kurdish discourse especially as Kurdish parties might participate in the upcoming Iraqi elections in separate lists, Barzani said, “There are different opinions and view, but when it comes to the Iraqi federal parliament, we have a unified position,”

(Photo: Rudaw, by Wladimir van Wilgenburg).

© Rudaw