Hawrami: Relations with Iraqi government needs a new formula to ensure the rights of the Kurds

In a meeting with the Dutch Consul General to Erbil John van der Zande, Hemin Hawrami said to ensure the privileges of the Kurds are met, the political dynamics within the Iraqi government needs to be changed completely to effectively resurface its relations with the Kurdistan region.

Mr Hawrami, the Head of ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party's Foreign Relations Office, received the Dutch delegation for talks focusing on the domestic situation where he highlighted the latest on the military and security issues as well as other areas of mutual interest. He outlined the ways of implementing the KDP's aims of closer cooperation with coalition forces to eliminate the terrorist organisation Islamic State from large swathes of territory in northern Iraq, adding that it is in the party's interests to discuss the impending Kurdish referendum after the central government in Baghdad has failed a good model of governance despite ample opportunities to ease tensions on the KRG.

For his part, the Dutch Consul General expressed his satisfaction for this meeting and stressed the ongoing military support from his country to Kurdistan. He confirmed that the Netherlands will supply further training to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and will continue to donate humanitarian aid.