Barzani in Ankara: Big changes coming to the region

ANKARA, Turkey—Speaking to the media in the Turkish capital Ankara Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani said that in his meetings with Turkey’s leaders he had discussed the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), better cooperation to combating the ‘terrorist organization’ and deepening of ties between Erbil and Ankara.

“Certainly, the ISIS war one of the focal points of our conversation and we agreed on how to cooperate on combating this terrorist organization,” said Barzani who arrived in Turkey on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. “It is clear that big changes are coming to the region and they call for more cooperation.”

Barzani who said his visit was on the invitation of Turkish President Recep Rayyip Erdogan, also met with Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and the speaker of the Turkish parliament.

He explained that his visit was an opportunity to tackle many issues such as “bilateral political, economic and security ties.”

“We agreed on strengthening and deepening these relations.” Barzani added.

The Kurdish president said relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad had also been discussed in his meetings with the Turkish leaders.

Barzani was received in Turkey with a show of the Kurdish national flag for the second time in less than a year.

“The subject of peace in Turkey is also an important issue but it seems that a lot of work still needs to be done,” the Kurdish president said of the collapsed peace process in Turkey between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). “We have not lost hope and will continue our efforts but unfortunately, recently many tragic things have happened. But we do hope that one day the peace process will start again.”

Barzani said that his delegation had congratulated the president and people of Turkey for their victory over last month’s coup attempt.

“Another issue was the Gulen schools in Kurdistan and we agreed on how to resolve this issue in a way that will not harm the students of the Kurdistan Region,” said Barzani in concluding his brief press conference.