ERBIL, Kurdistan Region-- Kurdish President Masoud Barzani met with diplomats representing 36 countries in Erbil on Wednesday where he reportedly spoke about the prospect of Kurdish independence which may come soon if a referendum on the matter is held this year. The Turkish Today's Zaman quoted the Foreign Affairs Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Fallah Moustafa, who said that Barzani outlined his desire to seek independence in the near future. "Holding a referendum and implementing the outcome of that referendum are two different things. A referendum to give the Kurdish people a choice is a natural right. We will discuss with the Baghdad authorities the future of our relations and settle some issues democratically through dialogue," he explained. Barzani's meeting appears to be part of his efforts to convey his intentions to the world before going ahead with implementing the referendum and then deciding on a course of action from there. He said that the Kurds will seek dialogue with Baghdad about this process. The Kurdish president was also quoted by Today’s Zaman explaining that, "For us, a referendum should be held to give people a chance to decide their own future, and everybody should respect the outcome." The website of the Kurdistan Region's Presidency however, reported that the meeting revolved primarily around the war against Islamic State (ISIS) and made no reference to the independence referendum. Describing the Kurdistan Region and Iraq's fight as one against "an advanced version of al-Qaeda," Barzani, emphasized the importance of liberating Mosul as well as the importance of implementing a durable post-liberation order. The Kurdish president also told the representatives that steps are being taken to improve and enhance relations between Baghdad and Erbil, pointing out that both are facing economic hardships as a direct result of the ongoing war against ISIS. Barzani had sought to hold an independence referendum in the summer of 2014 after the ISIS group seized Iraq's second city Mosul and the Peshmerga headed off a possible ISIS takeover of Kirkuk. However ISIS's attack on the Kurdistan Region itself shelved the project. 2016 may well prove to be the year.
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