Head of EU Liaison Office in Erbil says Kurdistan stability is a matter of interest to Europe

Kurdistan and Iraq will launch high-level talks as both governments look to resolving the political and economic crisis after Hemin Hawrami said during a meeting with EU Liaison Officer in Erbil, Patrick Geysen that the KRG has planned to send an envoy to initiate a new stage of dialogue.

The Head of KDP's Foreign Relations Office, Mr Hawrami, discussed with Mr Geysen the latest developments in the Kurdistan Region as the growing tensions and ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad are at a stalemate. Mr Geysen said the stability of Kurdistan is a matter of interest and concern to Europe, and the EU praises Kurdish Peshmerga forces for combatting Islamic extremists and liberating so-called Islamic State-occupied towns.

Mr Hawrami reflected on the impending Kurdistan referendum and mentioned that the KDP prefers to abide by constitutional laws but said that objections by the Baghdad government and failure to concur to resolving issues would be untenable. He also stressed on the potential liberation process of Mosul, Iraq's second city, but noted that an agreement must be formed due to the numerous ethnic and religious components.

For his part, Mr Geysen expressed further praise for the manner in which the KDP is handling disputes and appreciated that they are adhering to peaceful dialogue. He also admired how the Kurdistan region has handled the deteriorating humanitarian conditions after welcoming a large number of IDPs.