'Those who seek to axe peace process in Türkiye should not be allowed': President of Iraq's Kurdish region

Nechirvan Barzani also underscores threat from Daesh/ISIS terror group has not been eliminated, continues to pose danger to Iraq

By Anadolu staff

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) - The president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) said Wednesday that "those who seek to undermine the peace process in Türkiye should not be allowed."

Speaking at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) in Erbil, Nechirvan Barzani said the PKK terror group also poses a significant problem for the KRG.

He underscored that the threat from the Daesh/ISIS terror group has not been eliminated and continues to pose a danger to Iraq, noting that it does not differentiate between Shia, Sunni and Kurdish people.

External support is necessary in the fight against the terror group, he added.

"We want to be a factor of stability in the region. Our trade volume with Türkiye is $12 billion. We have also resolved issues with Iran," said Barzani.

He highlighted the stopping of oil flow from Iraq to Türkiye's Ceyhan Port has cost Iraq $15 billion, stressing that the issue should be viewed as an economic matter rather than a political one.

Barzani thanked Türkiye for its role in oil exports. "We have very good relations with Türkiye," he said.

Addressing instability caused by the PKK terror group in the region, Barzani said: "The PKK is also a significant issue for us."

"The PKK shows no respect for the institutions and organizations of the Kurdistan Region," he said. "If the PKK wants a solution, it must cease its actions. The terrorist attack in Ankara was carried out to undermine the current process."

The PKK terror group attacked the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in Ankara, which killed five people and injured 22 others on Oct. 23.

"We would be very happy to see the peace process in Türkiye reach a successful conclusion, as the solution would benefit not only Türkiye but the entire region," he added.

Since the current government took office in Türkiye, there has been visible progress on the Kurdish issue, Barzani added.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul

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