McGurk praises ‘serious dialogue’ between Erbil-Baghdad, talks elections with Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – US envoy Brett McGurk commended efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq in holding talks to resolve their disputes peacefully.

KRG Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, received US Special Envoy for the Global Coalition against the Islamic State (IS) Brett McGurk this week, alongside Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Peek, US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman and the Consul General to Erbil, Ken Gross.

The American delegation praised the easing of tensions and positive discussions between Erbil and Baghdad, and stressed “their support for serious dialogue between both sides,” according to the KRG press office.

The delegation also expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region, the political process, and elections in the region.

Barzani highlighted the significant role the US-led coalition plays in the fight against IS. He underlined the importance of the coalition engaging in efforts to bring Erbil and Baghdad together and address their outstanding issues, the KRG’s press office stated.

The Kurdish Premier noted that all political parties in the Kurdistan Region are in agreement to hold elections in the region in the coming months.

Bilateral relations between Erbil and Washington, DC and the latest developments in the country were other topics discussed during the meeting.

Iraq plans to hold elections in May, but multiple parties in the country have called for the postponement of the elections, namely Sunni blocs in Baghdad.

“The necessary conditions for holding elections—including the return of displaced people, stabilization and security in liberated areas to create an election atmosphere, and the return of weapons to the state—have not been met in the Sunni-populated governorates,” one of the largest Sunni blocs in the Iraqi Parliament said on Thursday.

The US Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday issued a statement which stood at odds with the Sunni bloc and sided with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as Washington opposes the postponement of Iraq’s elections.

“The US government strongly supports the Iraqi national elections in May 2018 in line with Iraq’s constitution,” a statement released by the embassy read.

“The postponement of the elections will set a dangerous precedent, undermine the constitution, and harm the long-term democratic development of Iraq,” it added.

The Kurdistan Region is also planning to hold elections before May, but a date is yet to be determined.

Editing by Nadia Riva