France hails Erbil – Baghdad dialogue, advises Kurds to unite in Baghdad
French Ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Aubert, praised the peaceful dialogue taking place between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve outstanding issues and called on Kurdish parties to unite in their negotiations with the Iraqi government.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – French Ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Aubert, praised the peaceful dialogue taking place between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve outstanding issues and called on Kurdish parties to unite in their negotiations with the Iraqi government.
Aubert’s comments were made during a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, in Erbil on Sunday.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) press office, the French envoy congratulated Erbil and Baghdad for their efforts to address some of the significant issues between them through dialogue.
Many deep-rooted issues between Erbil and Baghdad remain unresolved for a decade, especially those related to energy, the distribution of the national budget, and the disputed territories.
However, the two sides have refrained from using a military option to address their differences despite an escalation last year following the referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region.
France maintains strong relations with the Kurdistan Region. It also played a significant role in pressuring Baghdad to lift sanctions imposed on the Kurdish semi-autonomous region following the referendum.
Aubert stated that it was important for the Kurdish parties to have a united voice when negotiating with Baghdad and to secure an active role in the formation of the next Iraqi government, the KRG’s press office stated.
Barzani, in the meeting with the French envoy, thanked the European country’s role and support, spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron, in pushing for dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.
He affirmed Kurdish parties were working together to unite their voice in Baghdad and actively participate in the political process of Iraq.
Bilateral relations, trade and the economy, Iraqi election results and the current situation in the region were among the other topics discussed in the meeting.
On Sunday, Aubert, accompanied by French Consul-General in Erbil, Dominique Mas, also met with the former President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, who heads the leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Editing by Nadia Riva