President Barzani calls for Kurdistan, Russia to diversify, expand relations
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — President Masoud Barzani called for broader relations between the Kurdistan Region and Russia in a meeting with Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin in Erbil on Thursday
Barzani heads the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the largest political party in the Kurdistan Region.
Barzani has spoken with several foreign ministers and diplomats recently, as the KDP won the most seats among Kurdistani parties in Iraq’s parliamentary election. The KDP has formed a bloc with the second-largest party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), to go to Baghdad.
The PUK-KDP bloc is trying to bring other Kurdistani parties on board. Together they would have enough seats to sway the next Iraqi government into one of two emerging camps, a pro-Iran bloc and a pro-US bloc.
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani also met with Sorokin on Thursday and Gazprom executives.
"In the meeting, Russian energy minister talked about the challenges faced by Kurdistan's people, but also expressed his happiness ... that the Kurdistan Region continues developing despite crises," stated readout from Barzani's office.
Barzani heads the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the largest political party in the Kurdistan Region.
"He also said that the Kurdistan Region has a special value for Russia and there is a bright future waiting for the Kurdistan Region. He also called for broader relations between Russia and the Kurdistan Region in oil, energy, modern technology fields and others."
Barzani has spoken with several foreign ministers and diplomats recently, as the KDP won the most seats among Kurdistani parties in Iraq’s parliamentary election. The KDP has formed a bloc with the second-largest party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), to go to Baghdad.
"President Barzani thanked Russian and President Putin's friendly position on the people of Kurdistan,” the statement added.
The PUK-KDP bloc is trying to bring other Kurdistani parties on board. Together they would have enough seats to sway the next Iraqi government into one of two emerging camps, a pro-Iran bloc and a pro-US bloc.
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani also met with Sorokin on Thursday and Gazprom executives.