President Barzani: We initiated independence talks with Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region President stated on Thursday that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has started independence talks with Baghdad.

Speaking to Kurdish media in Davos, Switzerland, Masoud Barzani said that “We cannot specify a timeline for declaring independence,” adding that “We will never give up on our demand for independence.”

Regarding the relations with Baghdad, President Barzani stated that “We have already started talks regarding Kurdistan independence with Baghdad and we can become good neighbors with them.”

“If we reach a solution on independence with Baghdad, it would pave the way for other countries to recognize it without any problems; therefore, we will continue our talks with them and if we cannot reach an understanding, we will try other means,” President Barzani said.

“Our efforts towards independence will continue,” he added.

“The cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil is only militarily. There has not been much progress on other aspects,” Barzani told reporters.

Concerning the war against Islamic State (IS), President Barzani said that defeating IS in Mosul, Shingal, Kobani, Kirkuk, and other place does mean the end of extremism.

“IS may use other means of terror and other terrorist organizations may arise,” President Barzani added.

“The world leaders watch Peshmerga sacrifices in gratitude and have expressed their respect to the people of Kurdistan and have promised support," Barzani said.

President Barzani explained that 2016 was a successful year for the Kurdistan Region militarily and politically.

Asked about the situation of Kurdish people in Turkey, President Barzani said one year of talks is better than an hour of war.

“Once we see an opportunity to restart peace talks, we will put all our efforts, but unfortunately the time has not come yet and very bad things have happened so far,” President concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa