UK calls on Kurds to play role in forming consensus government in Iraqi elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A British official praised the peaceful dialogue taking place between Erbil and Baghdad, calling on Kurdish parties to play a role in forming a consensus government following the upcoming Iraqi Parliamentary elections.

UK Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt, highlighted efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to normalize relations with the Federal Government of Iraq after ties between the two worsened following last year’s referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region.

Burt’s comment came during a meeting with the Prime Minister of the KRG, Nechirvan Barzani, in Erbil on Friday.

The British delegation “praised the KRG’s efforts to normalize relations with Baghdad and re-create trust. They hoped a more serious dialogue would take place the two to resolve outstanding issues,” according to the KRG’s press office.

The delegation also highlighted the role that all parties, mainly the Kurds, to in helping form a consensus government in the May 12 Iraqi elections, the KRG’s statement read.

As the electoral campaign heads into its third week, some influential party leaders have already emphasized the importance of forming a majority government. Controversial figure Nouri al-Maliki, former Prime Minister and current vice-President of Iraq, has argued in favor of a majority-rule, which has some disenfranchised groups worried. Maliki is competing against current Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the hopes of regaining his former position.

Iraq is holding its first elections since the rise and defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

The British delegates added the UK was paying “special attention” to its ties with the Kurdistan Region, notably with regards to its military training and aid to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. It also has interest in “developing economy and investment.”

Barzani praised the UK’s military and humanitarian support to the Kurdistan Region. He asked the US-led coalition and the UK to help implement reforms in Iraq, in general, and the Kurdistan Region in particular, according to the KRG’s press office.

The current situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were other topics discussed in the meeting.

Editing by Nadia Riva