Barzani discusses Kurdish participation in Geneva III

President Masoud Barzani received Ibrahim Biro, the head of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, and discussed recent developments in Syrian Kurdistan.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – On Thursday afternoon, President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani received Ibrahim Biro, the head of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (also known as KNC or ENKS), discussing recent developments in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

Biro told K24 that Kurds' inclusion in the current international negotiations regarding a peaceful solution to the Syrian civil war (Geneva III) was the primary discussion topic addressed during the meeting .

“We discussed the role and inclusion of ENKS in the Geneva peace talks as the official Kurdish representative in Syria,” Biro said, pointing out that over 600,000 Syrian Kurds have signed a petition recognizing ENKS as their diplomatic representative. 

Biro explains, “We [ENKS] wish that Syrian Kurds [will] have their separate delegations, but this requires international recognition and...moreover[,]  other ethnic groups will demand their own delegations as well.”

During the meeting, President Barzani emphasized that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is holding meetings with international organizations and representatives to ask for further support and aid for KRG and Rojava.

Barzani and Biro additionally discussed the current internal Kurdish socio-political situation, highlighting the harsh economic conditions in both Kurdistan Region and Rojava , and addressed KRG efforts toward improving living conditions and reducing emigration.

“I have to say, we had a [very] fruitful meeting, [and] will be followed-up with further support for finding a solution for the Kurdish issue in Syria,” Biro said, noting that he greatly appreciates KRG initiatives and support for ENKS and Syrian Kurds.

It is noteworthy that ENKS was founded in Erbil on October 26, 2011, with the support of President Masoud Barzani and the KRG.

 

Reporting by Hisham Arafat

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin