ENKS opens office in Switzerland

GENEVA, Switzerland (K24) – The Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) opened its first foreign representative office in Geneva on Friday.

In the presence of European diplomats from several permanent missions, Ibrahim Biro, leader of ENKS, inaugurated the Kurdish National Council, which aims at strengthening the Syrian Kurds' role in Europe.

In the inauguration speech, Biro welcomed attendees and explained the functions and goals of the office. More specifically, ways to strengthen the Kurdish delegation to the High Negotiations Committee during the next round of Geneva talks concerning the Syrian Civil War.

“The foreign office aims at consolidating relations between ENKS and diplomatic missions in Europe as well as emphasizing the vision of our council in the Western media,” Biro said.

Talking to K24 at the inauguration ceremony, Jadaan Ali, the head of ENKS in the Kurdistan Region said, “Establishing an office in Geneva for the Kurdish National Council is an essential step, especially for the next round of peace talks within the framework of international efforts to achieve peace in Syria.”

Siamand Hajo, an ENKS member, attending the inauguration in Geneva said, “The main activities of the office will focus on the Syrian Kurds' inclusion as one of the main topics during Geneva III talks.”

Additionally, Hajo pointed out that the representative office focuses on ENKS' positive contribution toward achieving peace and seeking a federal state in Syria, which offers stability and democracy for citizens.

The Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC/ENKS) was founded in Erbil on Oct. 26, 2011, with the support of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masoud Barzani.

Reporting by Hisham Arafat

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin and Karzan Sulaivany

Ibrahim Biro, leader of ENKS inaugurates the representative office in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2016. Photo: Kurdistan24