ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In his upcoming visit to Turkey on Sunday, the president of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, is going to discuss a "range of questions" with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, including the economy, "border security," cultural, and humanitarian issues.
Speaking at a press conference, Ibrahim Kalin, spokesperson of the Turkish presidency, said "a range of questions are going to be discussed. Iraqi is important in every aspect, whether it is in terms of economy, border security or humanitarian and cultural sides."
Kalin added that Ankara and Erbil have a mutual and common goal in the region as "we are on the same front with Mr. Barzani and Erbil administration in combating Daesh [ISIS] and [Kurdistan Workers Party] PKK."
He believes strengthening cooperation between Erbil and Ankara in this regard "will benefit both sides."
The presidency’s spokesperson reiterated that "the Barzani visit is of high importance for both sides."
Barzani met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirm on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference on February 19. Following the Munich Conference, Barzani headed to France and met with outgoing French President Francois Hollande, expressing his appreciation for France and Hollande’s leadership in assisting the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS.
Addressing the ongoing battle to push ISIS out of western Mosul, Kalin explained that Barzani and Erdogan would discuss the Mosul battle, as well as the questions of Tal Afar and Shingal.
Turkish leaders have long insisted that PKK fighters should leave Shingal, saying that they will not let the Yezidi town to become "another Qandil" for the PKK.
Turkey has also opposed the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi entering the predominantly Turkmen town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, fearing they may carry out abuses against the local population.
“Tal Afar is a totally Turkmen city, with half Shia and half Sunni Muslims. We do not judge people by their religious affiliation, we regard them as Muslims,” Erdogan said in early November last year. “But if Hashd al-Shaabi terrorizes the region, our response would be different.”
The Hashd opposes Turkey’s current military presence in Bashiqa, northwest of Mosul. Turkey opposes any Hashd participation in the Mosul operation fearing it will alter that region’s demographics.
Speaking at a press conference, Ibrahim Kalin, spokesperson of the Turkish presidency, said "a range of questions are going to be discussed. Iraqi is important in every aspect, whether it is in terms of economy, border security or humanitarian and cultural sides."
Kalin added that Ankara and Erbil have a mutual and common goal in the region as "we are on the same front with Mr. Barzani and Erbil administration in combating Daesh [ISIS] and [Kurdistan Workers Party] PKK."
He believes strengthening cooperation between Erbil and Ankara in this regard "will benefit both sides."
The presidency’s spokesperson reiterated that "the Barzani visit is of high importance for both sides."
Barzani met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirm on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference on February 19. Following the Munich Conference, Barzani headed to France and met with outgoing French President Francois Hollande, expressing his appreciation for France and Hollande’s leadership in assisting the Kurdistan Region in the fight against ISIS.
Addressing the ongoing battle to push ISIS out of western Mosul, Kalin explained that Barzani and Erdogan would discuss the Mosul battle, as well as the questions of Tal Afar and Shingal.
Turkish leaders have long insisted that PKK fighters should leave Shingal, saying that they will not let the Yezidi town to become "another Qandil" for the PKK.
Turkey has also opposed the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi entering the predominantly Turkmen town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, fearing they may carry out abuses against the local population.
“Tal Afar is a totally Turkmen city, with half Shia and half Sunni Muslims. We do not judge people by their religious affiliation, we regard them as Muslims,” Erdogan said in early November last year. “But if Hashd al-Shaabi terrorizes the region, our response would be different.”
The Hashd opposes Turkey’s current military presence in Bashiqa, northwest of Mosul. Turkey opposes any Hashd participation in the Mosul operation fearing it will alter that region’s demographics.
The Kurdish and Turkish presidents last met in August 2016 in Ankara.
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