Iraqi Kurd leader lauds relations with Turkey

By Idris Okuducu

ISTANBUL (AA) - A new phase of relations will start between Turkey and Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, newly elected president of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq told Anadolu Agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on Friday with Barzani, who has arrived in Istanbul in his first overseas visit since inauguration on June 10.

Referring to his closed-door meeting with Erdogan, Barzani said: "I am convinced that a new phase will start in relations between [Iraq's] Kurdish region, Turkey and Iraq. I hope my visit will contribute to improving relations."

Barzani said that Ankara and Erbil have a historic bond of friendship.

"Turkey has helped our people in all the difficult periods," Barzani said.

Noting that the current trade volume between Turkey and Iraq totals at around $13 billion, Barzani underlined that the two leaders also discussed the expansion of trade volume, as well as the necessary steps to achieve this target.

"We have seen that President [Erdogan] is very keen on this issue and expects Iraq to make rapid progress in increasing the trade volume," he said, adding that they are ready "if any steps are needed to increase the volume of trade".

Barzani also stressed on the role of KRG in the oil trade between Turkey and Iraq, saying that they are willing to increase the capacity of the existing pipeline in order to export more oil in the future.

Speaking about the PKK terrorist group's presence in Iraq's Sinjar, Makhmur and border areas, Barzani said the KRG is against the usage of its lands to attack neighboring countries, especially Turkey.

He said that the main reason for military operations in the region is the presence of PKK there.

"The fact that the PKK or any other armed organization is causing problems to our neighbors is certainly not acceptable in the Kurdish region. Our policy on this issue has been clear before and will continue to be so."

The PKK caused "big problems" as well as the evacuation of more than 500 villages in the region, Barzani said.

"As a Kurdish region, our policy is to have good relations with our neighbors," he added.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women and children.

On May 28, Barzani was elected as president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, where he had previously served as prime minister for two terms.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev