Masrour Barzani: New Iraqi government must fulfill principles of ‘equality, friendship’

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The formation of a new government in Iraq following the May 12 parliamentary elections must fulfill the principles of equality and partnership, a senior Kurdistan Region official said on Sunday.

In a meeting with Romanian Ambassador to Iraq Iacob Prada, Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor Masrour Barzani reiterated the importance of Baghdad guaranteeing the rights of the people of Kurdistan.

According to a readout published on the KRSC website, Chancellor Barzani said the “Kurdistan Region seeks equality and partnership in a new government based on a common agenda and the full implementation of the Constitution.”

Senior Kurdish leaders have accused the central government in Baghdad of marginalizing the people of Kurdistan and deliberately ignoring the constitutional provisions that would guarantee their rights.

According to Article 140 of the 2005 Constitution, the future of Kirkuk and other disputed areas were to be decided upon in three stages—beginning with normalization and then relying on a local referendum. Political differences, however, have hampered its implementation.

Article 132, meanwhile, is meant to compensate those affected by the dictatorial practices of the former Iraqi regime—this too has yet to be fulfilled.

In his meeting with Prada, Chancellor Barzani stressed that “the Constitution should also determine the framework of Erbil-Baghdad ties.”

“Both officials reviewed political developments in Iraq, including recent parliamentary elections,” and “touched on internal political differences and efforts to advance a strong, united position in the political process,” the readout said.

The two officials also discussed ways “to advance bilateral relations and trade” between the Kurdistan Region and Romania.