Masrour Barzani: Defeat of IS an opportunity to consider realistic solutions for Iraq’s conflict
Masrour Barzani and UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa.
Erbil (BasNews) Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor Masrour Barzani stated on Wednesday that defeating the Islamic State (IS) is an opportunity for the Iraqi authorities to consider “realistic solutions” to Iraq’s perpetual conflicts.
Chancellor Barzani explained “the defeat of ISIL represents an opportunity to consider long-term, realistic solutions to address Iraq’s unending conflict.”
Regarding the Kurdistan Region independence, Barzani stressed that a referendum on independence will be organized this year, stating that “It’s time for us to hear the people.” He emphasised that “the Kurdistan Region will hold a referendum on independence this year.”
Barzani’s remarks were made during a meeting he held with the UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Tobias Ellwood, on Wednesday in Erbil.
The pair discussed the bilateral relations, political challenges and progress in the anti-IS campaign in Iraq.
The senior Kurdish official also welcomed UK’s commitment to continue the capacity and military support for the Peshmerga forces. The measures to strengthen the close partnership of UK and Kurdistan were also discussed during the meeting.
Tobias Ellwood, who leads a UK delegation of advisors, arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday and he later headed to the Kurdistan Region where he met with senior officials, including the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and the KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, for discussions over a range of issues.