After a Monday visit to Baghdad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov traveled to Erbil where he met with the Kurdish leadership including Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Kurdistan Region Presidency chief of staff Fawzi Hariri attended the meetings and spoke to Rudaw about their content.
Hariri said President Barzani urged Minister Lavrov to speak to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about developments in northeast Syria, warning any military intervention could result in yet another wave of displacements from Syria into the Kurdistan Region.
The president highlighted the plight of the Kurdish-majority area of Syria known as Rojava, but said the security concerns of Turkey should be addressed, according to Hariri.
The chief of staff said he hoped long-running Erbil-Baghdad budgetary talks, currently suspended as protests take place in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq, would resume sometime in the next few days.
The following is an edited version of the interview.
Rudaw: What hot-button issues did you discuss in the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov?
It was an important and valuable visit. All the meetings were successful. The President of the Kurdistan Region Mr. Nechirvan said that we are concerned about the recent developments in Rojava. We are worried about a number of issues. On the one hand, Turkey is right to have concerns about some sides that oppose it. But Rojava is home to so many Kurdish people, and we are concerned about yet another wave of displacement into the Kurdistan Region.
He [Nechirvan Barzani] told Lavrov that we are currently sheltering 1.1 million Syrians and internal IDPs who have not yet returned, and in reality, they are financial burden on the [Kurdistan] Region. It will become much harder if we are to receive new refugees.
On the other hand, any military development will pave the way for the resurgence of ISIS [Islamic State] and for terrorists to return to our borders once again and pose a direct threat to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
He called on Lavrov and the Russian state to play a peaceful role with the Syrian government, Mr. President Erdogan, and the Turkish government to de-escalate the tension so people are not once again displaced from their home.
Did Lavrov make any promises?
He responded by saying they have a hotline with Ankara, that they are in round-the-clock contact with Ankara, and they will convey the message. He said they understand the concerns of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, echoed the sentiment that this tension must be eased, and said they will be in touch with the Syrian government in order to reach a degree of understanding in order for both sides to be able to peacefully sort out this issue without making any threats to Turkey and without threatening the people of Rojava. Yes, he made that promise.
Are you expecting positive repercussions from the meeting with Lavrov to manifest in the near future?
Yes. Undoubtedly. The US plays its role. Ankara too. But Lavrov and Russia are strategic allies with Damascus. They share many common interests. Again, yes, this issue will be taken into serious consideration and they will talk with the governments of Ankara and Damascus on this matter.
Would you please tell us what stage talks between Erbil and Baghdad concerning budget are at?
Yes, talks were ongoing until the demonstrations broke out in Baghdad. We are very optimistic that Mr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi and his cabinet will be receptive. We have identified the problems. On a number of occasions, the Region’s president and prime minister have identified the problems and we have sent delegations [to Baghdad].
But unfortunately, because of the current situation in Baghdad, we delayed one of our delegations’ visits. We hope meetings will resume once the situation calms down in the next few days.
There are issues, but we are optimistic that the Iraqi government is serious. The stance of the Kurdistan Region in backing the prime minister was very positive. Next week, or maybe in the next few days, a delegation will go to Baghdad to continue the talks.
Which is more likely, the attainment of an agreement with Baghdad or failure to reach a deal?
I have no doubt that we will reach an agreement with Baghdad, because it is a necessity. Baghdad will lose more than Erbil if we do not strike a deal. That is why both sides are optimistic and serious about moving forward. The president of the Region and the head of the government have spoken about this problem and laid out the steps that need to be taken. The head of the federal government and the ministers are aware of the situation. There is a positive spirit, and I am optimistic that we will reach an agreement.
Translation by Fazel Hawramy
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