Dutch Consul in Erbil urges Baghdad to end Kurdistan flight ban

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Consul General of the Netherlands in Erbil on Thursday called on the Iraqi government to lift an international flight ban on airports in the Kurdistan Region.

Dutch Consul General Janet Alberda wrote on Twitter that it is “high time the international flights to the [Kurdistan Region] resume again.”

From #Erbil via #Bagdad to #nlamb2018, looking forward catching up with colleagues of @DutchMFA but high time the international flights to the Kurdistan region of Iraq resume again #confidencestartswithimplementation pic.twitter.com/I3j9SJBJbY

— NLinKRI (@jaalberda) January 25, 2018

The Iraqi government banned international flights to Erbil and Sulaimani as part of collective punitive measures leveled against the Kurdistan Region in response to the Sep. 25 independence referendum which saw an overwhelming majority support secession.

Baghdad claims it will not lift the ban until it has full control and direct oversight of international airports in the semi-autonomous region. The Federal Government of Iraq has also called on all border crossings and oil fields to be handed over to Baghdad.

Earlier this year, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said it welcomed any positive steps taken by the Iraqi government to hold discussions and work toward resolving outstanding issues within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Despite the collective punitive measures imposed by Baghdad, Erbil has maintained it remains committed to finding a solution to their disputes peacefully and through constructive dialogue.

Earlier this week, the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to defeat the Islamic State (IS), Brett McGurk, called on the Iraqi government to lift the international flight ban on airports in the Kurdistan Region and praised talks being held between Erbil and Baghdad.

“Airports in Kurdistan must be reopened, and a solution to the issue of salaries and border crossings must be reached,” he reportedly said, according to Abu Dhabi-based Sky News.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi where they discussed the international flight ban among other matters.

(Additional reporting by Nadia Riva)