Hoshyar Siwaily attends the 10th General Assembly of the International Conference of the Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates to the 10th General Assembly of International Conference of the Asian Political Parties (ICAPP),

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great privilege to be here today and represent Kurdistan Democratic Party in this important General Assembly of ICAPP. I convey to you President Barzani’s message of Solidarity with you from Kurdistan and his wishes for a successful General Assembly.

Our party is honoured to share this important platform with so many well-known Asian Political parties and through them to benefit from extensive experience and expertise of the countries they represent.

Distinguished delegates

Kurdistan Region as part of the Federal Republic of Iraq has played, since its recognition as a legal entity in the Iraqi constitution of 2005, a constructive role in promoting peace, ethnic and religious diversity and combating extremism and terrorism in Kurdistan, Iraq and the Middle East. Kurdistan Region over the past 13 years despite many   challenges has provided durable security and political stability and made considerable contributions the stability of the Federal Iraq. The role of Kurdistan Regional Government, President Barzani and our brave Peshmerga, in close coordination with the International Coalition, in defeating the notorious Islamic State is highly acknowledged.  Kurdistan Region opened its doors to nearly two millions Refugees and IDPs from Syria and Iraq and large numbers of them have not yet returned due to the lack of adequate security and basic service provisions.

Dear Friends

Kurdistan Region of Iraq conducted a successful referendum on 25 September 2017 in which more than 76% of the People of Kurdistan (KR and the disputed areas) participated and 93% of the participants voted yes for independence. Although the referendum was within the jurisdictions of the international law,the UN Charter and it was within the framework of the federal constitution, the reaction from the federal government was harsh and cruel. Encouraged by the aggressive position of the neighbouring countries and lack of international support for the referendum, Baghdad rejected repeated calls by the Kurdistan Regional Government for peaceful talks and took extraordinary measures to punish the People of Kurdistan through economic and diplomatic blockades and military offensives.Since then both Baghdad and Erbil have tried to normalise their relations and plan for the post referendum coordination and cooperation. Although progress has been made in normalising relations between Baghdad and Erbil, but the real breakthrough in improving relations and creating a genuine partnership based on the holistic implementation of the Federal Constitution has still to be achieved.

 

In the past few months our party participated in the federal and Regional parliamentary elections in which it came first among the Kurdistani political parties with 25 and 45 seats in the Federal and Regional elections respectively. We are actively coordinating our efforts with the other blocs and parties on both levels to from the next two governments. On the Federal level  two important posts so far have been allocated to the Kurds; the post of the President of the Republic and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. The post of the Deputy PM and at least three ministerial posts will also be allocated to Kurdistan Region. The real demand of KRG is not the award of political posts in the federal government, but it’s an adherence to the principles of Partnership, Consensus and a balanced participation in the important federal institutions. A fair revenue sharing arrangement, allocation of funds to the Peshmerga as part of the Iraqi defence system, conducting a credible census and implementing Article 140 of the Federal Constitution are among the crucial issues need to be resolved by Baghdad.

 

Distinguishedparticipants

 

Kurdistan Region went through difficult and challenging times over the past four years due to the ISIS war, the arrival of nearly two million refugees and IDPs, economic and financial hardship due to the termination of budget transfers from Baghdad to Erbil and a drop in the oil prices, the main source of revenue to KRG. The unjustified and cruel reaction by Baghdad to conducting the legal referendum of September 25, 2107, put the Region in a very much difficult and challenging position. Our Regional Government supported by the People of Kurdistan and assisted by our friends within the International Community succeeded in restoring the order and set the stage for the Kurdistan’s next phase of development and prosperity. With the reduction of expenditure in the war against ISIS and on refugees and IDPs and the fiscal reforms that KRG is planning to introducecoupled with an increase in oil production and prices, Kurdistan Region is heading towards a bright and prosperous  future.

 

Honourable   participants

 

What the People of Iraqi Kurdistan have achieved over the past 72 years is mainly attributed to the KDP’s core believes, principles and struggle. KDP has always believed in establishing an independent homeland for the People of Kurdistan which is in line with the universal  Self Determination and leading the September 25th 2017 Referendum was a clear manifestation of these believes.The KDP, since its foundation in 1946 has believed in a secular society and a plural political system. In our party constitution we have firmly and clearly stated the principles and policies of democracy and peaceful coexistence between the different ethnic and religious components of our society. It has never, during its long armed struggle, used terrorism as a means to achieve its aims.

 

In addressing the religious affairs in Kurdistan Region, part 21 of the constitution  states that (religion is one of the main pillars of life. it is crucial for the organization and direction of human relations and the KDP supports the promotion of tolerance, co-existence and freedom of religious beliefs). Article 14 in the KDP’s constitution asserts that one of the national goals of the party is (to guarantee the national, cultural and administrative rights of Turkmen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, syriacs and Armenians in the Kurdistan Region).Article 15 of the same constitution re-emphasizes the party’s commitment (to secure the rights of every religious community so that they can practice their rituals and establish assembly to improve, organise and develop their cultural and social affairs within the Kurdistan Region.

 

I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my thanks and appreciation to the organisers of the conference, the Russia Federation as the host country and the United Russia Party as the host party. Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party highly value the current relations between the Russia Federationand Kurdistan Region in particular the role of the Russian companies in building the Region’s capacity in the oil sector and economic development.

Thank you.

October 26th 2018