Barzani told reporters that Erbil sees its ties with Ankara as strategic, historic, and important. He pointed out that they discussed during their talks that strengthened stability and security is needed for the entire region, BasNews repored.
“Security and bilateral trade were the focus of my meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu today. We discussed our mutual interests and challenges, and ways we can work together to stabilise the region as a whole,” Barzani said.
On Syria, Barzani welcomed Turkey’s coordination with the UN for the safe return of the refugees, noting that Kurdistan Region supports the return of refugees provided that it is voluntarily.
Asked about KRG’s position on the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Sinjar, PM Barzani said the area is under the control of the Iraqi government and not the Kurdistan Region, and that Erbil was against the interference of the PKK in the area.
The Kurdish prime minister said on US Vice President Mike Pence’s recent visit to Erbil that it was to reiterate the sides’ commitment to further fostering ties and supporting the Kurdistan Region.
Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later that day.
Reporter's code: 50101