Strategy is to normalize relations between Erbil, Baghdad: EU Foreign Policy Chief

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini on Monday said the EU’s strategy was to normalize relations between Baghdad and Erbil.

The EU Foreign Policy Chief made the remarks during a meeting of European foreign ministers in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

“We are working to restore the relations and coordination between Baghdad and Erbil back to normal so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past,” Mogherini stated.

The relationship between the KRG and the Iraqi government has considerably deteriorated following Kurdistan’s Sep. 25 independence referendum.

The historic vote received sweeping support for secession from Iraq, but Baghdad refused to recognize the results and instead responded by imposing collective punitive measures against Kurdistan, including the use of military force in disputed areas.

The KRG has shown its flexibility, offering to freeze the results of the referendum, but Baghdad demands a full annulment instead.

Senior Kurdistan Region officials continue to renounce the violence and have asked Baghdad to begin a dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, but the Iraqi government has not shown any real response so far.

During her speech, the EU Foreign Policy Chief pointed out that the rights of all Iraqi components, including the Kurds, should be respected.

Mogherini also noted that aid must be provided to help Iraq overcome its “sensitive” period following the defeat of the Islamic State (IS).

“The Iraqis have made great strides in defeating an extremist organization, and the policy of the European Union is to provide assistance to Iraq in the coming months so that it can overcome the sensitive stage it is going through,” she concluded.

Last Wednesday, Iraq’s Planning Minister Salman Jumaili announced that he had signed two agreements worth 60.4 million euros with the EU to begin the reconstruction of areas liberated from IS.