UN representative in Kurdistan says the Kurdistan people's decision will be respected

Hemin Hawrami says any decisions by the Iraqi government on the potential provincial elections in the disputed city Kirkuk should be taken into consideration, but if the Iraqi government is take a contrary decision, the KRG and the governor of Kirkuk will have a decision on Kirkuk

The Head of Kurdistan Democratic Party's Foreign Relations Office said in a meeting with the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, (Political) Gyorgy Busztin, and Head of office Erbil Regional Office, Ricardo Rodriguez, where they focused on other domestic issues and areas of mutual interest. They touched on President Massoud Barzani's participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he has met with world leaders and senior political figures for talks on circumstances across the region.

Mr Busztin reflected on the current military developments where Peshmerga forces are taking part in an offensive in Mosul in attempt to liberate Iraq's second city from Islamic extremists, which has occupied the area for over years. He expressed praise for the Peshmerga saying that they are courageously defending their freedom and respected the Kurdish administration for aiding the internally displaced people and hosting the vast amount of refugees.

The meeting concluded with both sides exchanging views on the current situation in the Kurdistan Region.