EU President calls for peace, dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani on Wednesday called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq to engage in continuous dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

In response to a question from Kurdistan 24 correspondent Barzan Hassan on whether the Council of the European Union had any message for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region following the defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and both governments’ recent elections.

“Of course, our message is always about peace and stability,” Tajani said. “Peace and dialogue between the relevant parties.”

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad turned sour following the Kurdistan Region’s historic independence referendum in September 2017.

Although 93 percent of voters expressed their desire for secession from Iraq, the central government in Baghdad rejected the results and responded by imposing several punitive measures against the KRG.

The sanctions included the closure of borders with neighboring countries, an international flight ban, and the use of military force to retake control of disputed territories.

Since then, ties between the two administrations have improved, with senior officials in constant contact to mend relations.

After both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region completed their respective parliamentary elections, officials say that rebuilding strong ties in the aftermath of last year’s referendum is a top priority.

On Wednesday, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul Mahdi and the country’s Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi in Baghdad to speak about negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad. 

Also on Wednesday, though, merchants complained that Iraqi authorities have begun imposing elevated fees on goods moving through two existing customs points separating the Kurdistan Region from the rest of the country. The new measures are resulting in congested roads and appear to be disincentivizing traders from continuing regular business as many have done for years or even decades.

“We do need stability,” Tajani told Kurdistan 24.

Editing by John J. Catherine

(Additional reporting by Kurdistan 24 correspondent Barzan Hassan)