Iraqi PM accepts Macron’s invitation to discuss Kurdish independence in Paris

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday accepted an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to travel to Paris on Oct. 4 to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday accepted an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to travel to Paris on Oct. 4 to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum, a source from Macron’s office said.

The French President expressed his readiness to help resolve tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq over the Sep. 25 vote where 92.7 percent decided for secession from Iraq.

Macron called on both sides to avoid further escalation as Baghdad closed the Region’s airspace and decided to take over border crossings in the aftermath of the referendum.

Iraq has also deployed troops in disputed territories, namely the oil-rich and diverse province of Kirkuk which has been under the protection of the Kurdish Peshmerga since 2014.

In a recent phone call, the French President invited Abadi to Paris to talk about the Kurdish independence vote, a source from Macron’s office told Reuters.

Macron warned both Erbil and Baghdad to remain united in their priority of defeating the Islamic State (IS) in the country, the source added.

“All escalation should be avoided,” the French President said in a statement.

“The President…recalled the importance of preserving unity and Iraq’s [territorial] integrity while recognizing the rights of the Kurdish people,” the Elysee Palace statement read.

On Saturday, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office released a statement confirming Abadi’s acceptance of the invitation.

The PM's announcement added that the main purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bilateral relations between Iraq and France and focus on efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

On Thursday, French philosopher and film director Bernard-Henri Lévy revealed that the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani had accepted the invitation.

“I have confidence in President Macron and his leadership,” Lévy quoted Barzani.

“There is a special story, as you know, between your country and mine. Tell him that all the Kurds feel somewhat like the children of a great lady of France, whose name was Danielle Mitterrand. It is an honor for me to accept his invitation. I can come tomorrow. I hope it will be the same for Mr. Abadi.”

The Kurdistan Region’s referendum has been opposed strongly by Baghdad, neighboring countries, and the international community.

The Kurdish leadership has stressed the vote did not violate the Iraqi Constitution, international law, or the UN Charter because people peacefully and democratically decided on their future.

An independent Kurdistan has been the long-awaited aspiration of over 40 million stateless Kurds around the world.

Both President Barzani and Abadi have emphasized on holding dialogue and negotiations to address the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany