25 Apr. 2008

Salahaddin, Kurdistan - Iraq (KRG.org) - President Masoud Barzani yesterday met Mr David Miliband, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, to discuss political progress in Iraq, relations with Turkey and Article 140 of the Constitution.

The Kurdistan Region President welcomed the UK's Foreign Secretary on his second visit in five months. They touched on a wide range of issues in a meeting attended by Vice President Kosrat Rasul, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Omer Fattah and other officials.

At a press conference following their meeting, Mr Miliband said, “I am here as a friend of Iraqi Kurdistan and as someone who believes that this is as a very important part of Iraq where prospects for stability, security and prosperity are very good. We had very good discussions about the critical role of the Kurdish region economically and socially, and about the Kurdish voice in big decisions in Baghdad. We also had an important discussion about regional issues where the stability and political progress and are very important.”

President Barzani said on Article 140, "This is a constitutional commitment, and there is a clear road map on how to solve this major historic problem. Indeed, we are working hard to solve this issue, but this does not mean that it will be forgotten because of delays or the passage of time. The main point for us is to look for the best possible way to solve this issue, as it is clearly stipulated in the Constitution."

Mr Miliband said it was necessary for the Turkish government, the Kurdistan Regional Goverment (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq to find a lasting settlement to the situation with Turkey. The Turkish military in recent months launched military operations against the PKK on the border with Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

He said, “It is very important to say that there is no solution through violence to the divisions that exist, in the end a political settlement is essential to bridge the divide that exists from close working of north and south of the border”, a view shared by President Barzani who said he was ready to do whatever is necessary to help find a political solution.

The meeting with the Foreign Secretary also focused on the situation in Basra and the support given to Prime Minister Mailiki by President Barzani and President Jalal Talabani of Iraq. Mr Miliband said that support was important, and that he saw a a change in the political dynamics of Iraq which could lead to greater unity and political progress, for example, in passing key legislation such as the hydrocarbons law.

Mr Miliband and the President also discussed Article 140 of the Constitution on the issue of disputed territories such as Kirkuk. Mr Miliband expressed his support for the role of the United Nations in implementing Article 140 and, speaking at a press conference after the meeting, said the delays in implementation so far should not been seen as Kirkuk had been forgotten.

Deputy Prime Minister Fattah gave Mr Miliband an overview of the economic progress in Kurdistan Region. At the press conference with President Barzani, Mr Miliband said, "I think there big opportunities for British investment and companies and there is some responsibility on me to make sure that people know the real story of the north of Iraq, and that people know the real peace and prosperity that exists here".

Mr Miliband extended an invitation to President Barzani to visit Great Britain, which the President accepted.