Erdogan congratulates Barzani on formation of eighth cabinet of KRG

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has conveyed a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on the occasion of the official formation of the eighth Kurdistan Regional Government.

“To His Excellency the Prime Minister.

Dear brother,

We are very excited to hear news of the eight cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq and continuing functions of the Prime Minister. I wish the new Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq be a factor for good and happiness of all the people of Iraq and Kurdistan.

No doubt you also performed the functions of your duties successfully, this time also in the same format and entitlement will fulfil your responsibility, we look to this step that I accept the Kurdistan Iraq for progress and economic growth. I hope that our bilateral relations in recent years have reached a high level. And, under the new government, I also hope to see these relations in all fields progress expansively. In this context, our country's security will continue to also abide by the promises made with the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

This delicate stage of Iraq needs to be ample and courageous leadership. Regarding the steps to be taken to overcome Iraq's problems, we need to further enchance bilateral cooperation more than ever.

We are very pleased to see your tireless efforts to provide shelters for tens of thousands of displaced civilians from the town of Tal Afar and Mosul governorate of Turkmen. I am confident that it will be temporary, and that these difficult times will not last for long. There is no doubt that these steps will promote the spirit of brotherhood among the Turkmen. I am confident that in the age of the new government under your leadership, will be protected the rights and interests of such Turkmens living in Kurdistan.

On the occasion of the start of your duties as prime minister, I congratulate you again on this occasion, I convey warm greetings also, through you, to the sovereignty of the region's President, Massoud Barzani, dear brother.”

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic

19 June 2014

Ankara