UK Amb. discusses Erbil-Baghdad relations, economy with PM Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Britain's Ambassador to Iraq and an accompanying delegation to Erbil on Wednesday, the two discussing Iraq's recent national elections and economy, among other things.

According to a summary of the meeting released by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Prime Minister and his guest Ambassador Jon Wilks “discussed the current political climate of the region [Iraq] and related topics.”

The meeting comes after Iraq's electoral commission announced of the results of the May 12 election, which saw the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in fifth place across Iraq and in first in the Kurdistan Region by winning 25 seats in Baghdad's parliament.

The participants examined the latest political developments, primary among them post-election deal-making among parties aimed at forming the new governing cabinet.

“The unity of the Kurdish parties” and their active role in the future of Iraq was an important part of the discussion, read the statement.

They also addressed the necessity of ongoing talks between Baghdad and Erbil to improve relations after their deterioration immediately following the Kurdistan Region's September independence referendum. Holding the controversial vote prompted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to order security forces to push Kurdish Peshmerga forces from disputed territories and enact various restrictions damaging to the region's economy such as a ban on international flights.

In another part of the meeting, they spoke of the steps recently taken to assure that all parties maintain a basic political unity, despite allegations of fraud in the election.

The two officials emphasized the need for the future leaders of Iraq to work to “strengthen the economy," since it was in the interest of all in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Also on Wednesday, Ambassador Wilks held a separate meeting with former President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, where they discussed many of the same topics.

Editing by John J. Catherine