President Barzani talks education, politics at AUK graduation ceremony

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani congratulated graduating students at the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok on Sunday, saying he will continue to back the development of the Region's education sector

“When I was your age, displacement, the Anfal, massacre, and destruction were the main concerns that we faced. When my father was your age, the rebellion of protecting Kurdistan was the main concern of that time . When my grandfather was your age, the Ottoman Empire was collapsing … they were busy with political and cultural struggle,” he said at a graduation ceremony for 118 students.

“Today you and I live freely because of the struggle of the previous generations . We study and make plans for our future, our society, our nation and our homeland.” 

Barzani also said that he hoped that the sacrifices of this generation in pursuing education would bring prosperity, civic dialogue and protect coexistence in the Kurdistan Region, urging them to persevere and become an “inspiration” for the next generation. 

“In the Kurdistan Region, more than anything else, we need a sound foundation for education,” Barzani said, adding that he would continue to back the education sector.

There is a ‘firm determination’ to develop the Region, he added, noting the establishment of the university in 2014, during the war against the Islamic State group (ISIS).  

The president also spoke of Erbil-Baghdad relations, which have been strained amid months of budget disputes, saying “Baghdad and Erbil could reach a final agreement to end all disagreements.”

Barzani said that there needs to be a “joint Kurdistani approach” to deal with the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), in order to protect the interests of the Kurdistan Region and to protect the livelihood and the lives of the people. 

“We must have one position, and, with one voice, tell the PKK that it should not disregard anymore the determination of people of Kurdistan, Kurdistan’s constitutional institutions , the interests and the lives of the people of Kurdistan.” 

“This war is futile. .. respect the sovereignty of Kurdistan and Iraq. Under no circumstances should the land of Kurdistan and Iraq, and its border areas, become a way to threaten or attack our neighbours and to disrupt the stability and security of these countries.”