Barzani: There must be one region, one parliament, one Peshmerga force, and one government

DUHOK – The 2024 Middle East Peace and Security Forum got underway today at the American University of Kurdistan with opening remarks from KDP President Masoud Barzani. He expressed hope that the recent Kurdistan Region election would lead to a united Kurdistan Regional Government and Peshmerga force, and lamented the scenes of devastation in Gaza and Lebanon.

Key excerpts from the speech:

In the Kurdistan Region, elections were held despite predictions that they might not take place or that issues could arise if they did. I would like to thank the citizens of Kurdistan who demonstrated their awareness and made us proud with this achievement.

We hope everyone respects the legitimacy of the process, and after the Independent High Electoral Commission officially announces the results, the stage of negotiations between all parties will begin to expedite the start of parliamentary work.

We ask for your support to ensure that in the future, there is one united region, one parliament, one Peshmerga force, and one government representing all the components of the region.

In less than a year, legislative elections will be held in Iraq, and lessons can be drawn from the experience in the Kurdistan Region.

We have received assurances that there are no political motives behind the population census and that it will not affect the areas covered by Article 140 of the Constitution.

Dialogue is the solution to all problems. Today, there is a good relationship between the regional government and the federal government, and there is cooperation to resolve outstanding issues.

The spread of narcotics is the biggest threat. This is the killing of a nation. All sides and nations must work hard on this issue and make sure it this disaster spirals out of control.

The crises in the region and the scenes of war we see in Lebanon and Gaza are unfortunate. We hope this war ends and this tragedy comes to a close. Above all, it is essential to keep Iraq away from this conflict.

We are all watching as the situation may change following the election of a new president in the United States. All indications suggest that under President Trump’s administration, there will be significant differences compared to President Biden’s policies.