The Consul General of Turkey in Kurdistan Region visited the Kurdistan Democratic Party Foreign Relations Office

Hoshyar Siwaily, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Foreign Relations Office, welcomed Hakan Karacay, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in the Kurdistan Region. During the meeting, a number of issues were discussed with the main focus on the ongoing Baghdad-Erbil negotiations, relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Turkey and the impact of COVID-19 on Iraq. Discussions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq were another part of the meeting. Mr. Siwaily suggests that in 2020, two agreements between the KRG and the Federal Government were reached; one on the 2021 budget of Federal Iraq and the second the Shingal Agreement. These were good steps and allowed both sides to try and find solutions to the outstanding issues, but unfortunately, the political parties, the federal parliament and other elements were not co-ordinated and problems were created for both agreements. What is important is that we insist on negotiating to reach an agreement on the basis of the constitution and protecting the interests of the Iraqi people.

Mr. Karacay, the consul general of Turkey, emphasized on the relationship between his country's government and KRG and described the Kurdistan Region as an important partner and said that we have common interests that require continued work for further development. On the exchange of trade and tourism, the consul general emphasized his country's efforts to expand and further develop all sectors and increase opportunities that benefit the population of both countries. 

During the meeting, the political developments and tensions of the region and its effects were discussed, and both sides emphasized the importance of the relationship between the two sides to work together to protect the interests and encourage all sides to negotiate and achieve a solution to the issues that exist to bring about a peaceful environment of peace, security and prosperity for the region.