ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In meetings with Germany’s ambassador to Iraq in Erbil on Monday, Kurdish leadership discussed the challenges bringing Baghdad to the table for talks and fears that Iraq may again resort to military force to resolve disputes between them.
Ambassador Dr. Cyrill Nunn met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and expressed his support for a “strong government in the Kurdistan Region,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
He stressed the need for “serious dialogue” between Erbil and Baghdad in light of the Iraqi constitution, a stance PM Barzani welcomed.
The KRG hopes “Germany will play its role to start talks between Erbil and Baghdad,” to find a negotiated understanding to resolve their outstanding issues, the statement said.
Barzani highlighted the need for the federal government to address the causes that led to the emergence of ISIS – a stance also expressed by Kurdistan Region Security Council chief Masrour Barzani who met with Nunn earlier in the day.
Masrour Barzani said talks on practical matters would build trust between Erbil and Baghdad, and warned of “frontline reporting in recent days indicating Iraq has not yet ruled out military options to settle political disputes,” according to a readout from his office.
Iraq has so far refused to commit to unconditional negotiations with the KRG despite Erbil’s offer to freeze the results of the independence vote and commitment to respect a ruling from the Iraqi Federal Court on the matter.
Iraqi forces took control of the disputed areas in October.
Ambassador Dr. Cyrill Nunn met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and expressed his support for a “strong government in the Kurdistan Region,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
He stressed the need for “serious dialogue” between Erbil and Baghdad in light of the Iraqi constitution, a stance PM Barzani welcomed.
The KRG hopes “Germany will play its role to start talks between Erbil and Baghdad,” to find a negotiated understanding to resolve their outstanding issues, the statement said.
Barzani highlighted the need for the federal government to address the causes that led to the emergence of ISIS – a stance also expressed by Kurdistan Region Security Council chief Masrour Barzani who met with Nunn earlier in the day.
Masrour Barzani said talks on practical matters would build trust between Erbil and Baghdad, and warned of “frontline reporting in recent days indicating Iraq has not yet ruled out military options to settle political disputes,” according to a readout from his office.
Iraq has so far refused to commit to unconditional negotiations with the KRG despite Erbil’s offer to freeze the results of the independence vote and commitment to respect a ruling from the Iraqi Federal Court on the matter.
Iraqi forces took control of the disputed areas in October.
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