ERBIL () - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani gave the British Financial Times a series of significant statements on Sunday warning that leaving the Kurdistan Region without any defensive system as American and coalition forces withdraw from Iraq is a cause for concern, while confirming ongoing dialogue with Iranian officials, expressing support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's efforts on militia disarmament, and saying the Kurdistan Region wants good relations with all its neighbors including Iran.
The Financial Times published a report today containing several of Prime Minister Barzani's statements, though the newspaper's correspondent presented the content with his own analysis and interpretation rather than quoting the prime minister's words verbatim. The Prime Minister's Media Office has released the direct text of his key statements, which are as follows.
On the coalition withdrawal, Prime Minister Barzani said the withdrawal of American and coalition forces from Iraq is taking place at a sensitive time, and that the Kurdistan Region has been subjected to more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks. "Leaving the Kurdistan Region without providing any defensive system is a cause for concern,"he said.
On the broader security implications, the prime minister warned that continued instability in Iraq's security situation represents a threat to the federal system.
On the Kurdistan Region's position in the conflict, Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed a carefully balanced posture.
We are friends and allies of the United States, but at the same time we want to have good relations with all our neighbors, including Iran among them
he said.
He confirmed that the Kurdistan Region maintains continuous communication and dialogue with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and has always reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region is never part of any war or conflict and is not a source of threat to any party.
On the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, Prime Minister Barzani noted that Iranian opposition forces have been in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for many years, going back to the era of the former Saddam Hussein regime.
On relations with Baghdad, the prime minister expressed support for Federal Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in confronting corruption, dismantling militia weapons, and resolving Kurdistan Region-Baghdad issues on a constitutional basis. He confirmed the Kurdistan Region's readiness for all cooperation with the federal government to increase public revenues and address various obstacles and challenges.
On the Kurdistan Region's internal political situation, Prime Minister Barzani confirmed that efforts and discussions to activate the Kurdistan Parliament and form a new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet are continuing.
