Statement on meeting of Iraqi President with Kurdistan's three presidencies and political parties

Statement on the 5th November meeting of the Iraqi President Barham Salih, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Rewaz Faiq, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami, Secretary Muna Kahveci, and the representatives of political parties, on the current political situation in Iraq and its impact on the Kurdistan Region:

The meeting participants assessed Kurdistan Region’s domestic situation, its relations with the Iraqi Federal Government, the tensions in the wider region, and the effects and implications of the military operations in Syria.

The participants said that they believe that the political and administrative arena in Iraq today are the result of unsolved problems over many years. All the participants supported the legitimate right to freedom of expression of all people, and expressed their concern for the victims of the protests. At the same time, they expressed the need to maintain Iraq’s security and legal institutions, taking into account the situation in the region and the risk of the reemergence of ISIS in Iraq, especially in the Kurdish areas outside the KRG administrative areas.

The participants agreed on launching a unified coalition in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, with the goal of uniting all efforts in the Iraqi institutions including the Presidency, the Government and the Council of Representatives.

The meeting also emphasized Iraq’s need for stability, taking into account the complex situation in the wider region, the legitimate demands of citizens, ending violence and the protection of state institutions.

All participants at the meeting assured the people of Kurdistan that they will work from a common position and will defend the interests of the Kurdistan Region.