PM: Kurdistan welcomes French President’s initiative for talks with Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reiterated its readiness to initiate dialogue with Baghdad to address unresolved issues.

KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, speaking to Kurdistan 24 following former Iraqi President and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani's funeral on Saturday, said the Kurdistan Region was “always ready” for dialogue with Baghdad and welcomed international efforts to mediate between Erbil and Baghdad.

Barzani revealed that he had already accepted France and President Emmanuel Macron's offer to act as a mediator between Erbil and Baghdad and start negotiations.

“We are in line with France, the United Nations and the International Community to hold dialogue as soon as Baghdad accepts,” Barzani said, expressing Kurdistan’s readiness to hold high-level negotiations, whether in Iraq or abroad.

“We welcome the French President’s initiative to hold a dialogue with Baghdad,” the KRG PM told Kurdistan 24.

The people of the Kurdistan Region have conveyed a peaceful message to the whole world, and therefore want to resolve its issues peacefully, Barzani added.

Addressing rumors regarding the closure of the Kurdistan Region’s border crossings by neighboring countries, the Kurdish PM denied the claims. “The borders are still open. Closing the borders will not resolve any issues,” he said, calling on Baghdad to focus on resolving issues through dialogue.

Editing by G.H. Renaud