Barzani discusses referendum with officials in Munich

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani met several officials in Germany on Friday to discuss the current situation in Kurdistan, the referendum and the war with the Islamic State (IS).

During the first day of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Barzani met Jordan’s King Abdullah II. They discussed the current affairs in the region, the war with IS, and bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Jordan, according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency Office.

Barzani also met Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee in German Parliament and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) delegation. Kiesewetter expressed Germany’s continuous military support to Kurdish Peshmerga in the fight against IS.

President Barzani thanked Germany and discussed the developments on the front lines as well as Peshmerga successes in liberating IS-invaded areas.

In another assembly, Barzani met French Defense Minister Jean-Yuves Le Drian and his delegation. They highlighted the current situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Le Drian mentioned that France will provide further military support for Peshmerga to combat IS.

The French Minister praised the role of Peshmerga in defeating extremists and underlined the Peshmerga’s success in liberating Sinjar (Shingal) city in northern Iraq. Barzani discussed the Kurdish referendum, the current situation on the front lines, and the financial crisis in the Region. Mosul liberation and bilateral relations between Paris and Erbil were discussed as well.

Additionally, Barzani met Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam and his delegation. “We discussed the current situation in the region. We have historical relations with Kurdistan,” Tamam told K24.

He praised the role Barzani plays in leading the Region. Regarding the referendum, he said, “We had discussed a referendum last year…Certainly, Barzani has a great responsibility in this case.”

In separate meetings, President Barzani met Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond. In the meetings, they touched upon the relations between both sides, Peshmerga needs, Kurdish referendum, Baghdad-Erbil relations, the current financial crisis, and economic ties.

Barzani and Gentiloni shed light on the repair of Mosul Dam by an Italian company, after reports suggested the dam might collapse. “Italy will continue supporting Peshmerga forces in combating IS,” Gentiloni told K24.

Regarding the Kurdish referendum, Gentiloni stated, “It is Kurds who will decide for a referendum. We don’t want to intervene or have any impact on it.”

Furthermore, President Barzani met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Both sides discussed Erbil-Baghdad relations, the financial crisis, and the political and security situation in the country. They emphasized a need for further negotiation and dialogue between both governments.

Barzani also met Turkish and Iranian Foreign Ministers, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, and US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter IS, Brett McGurk.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Ava Homa
(Armanj Egid contributed to this report from Munich)