KurdistanObserver.com

Barzani: Positive Developments In Iraq Will Positively Affect Kurdistan

ERBIL, (Southern Kurdistan), May 22 (KUNA) -- President of Iraq's Kurdistan Massoud Barzani said any positive development in Iraq impacts positively on the country's Kurdistan province.

Barzani said in press statements published here Monday time is needed before a federal structure in Iraq is declared to determine the type of relation with Baghdad, pointing out that the relation improved compared to it in the past years.

"In the past we were not partners in the rule in Baghdad, but now we are a major part in establishing the new Iraq," he explained.

Barzani emphasized that Kurdistan's oil activities are conducted in coordination with Baghdad according to the Iraqi constitution.

On his criticism of the Iraqi government on issues like Kirkuk city and the budget for Kurdistan, Barzani said it was not personal, but was aimed to the relation between the province and Baghdad.

"We demand that the relation should be highly transparent and that our budget and the budgets' of other provinces be received on time," he stressed.

"The criticism came because we did not see after the fall of Saddam any practical step to solve problems in Kirkuk and other regions of Iraq", he said.

About Turkey, he said it is an important neighbor to Kurdistan which was ready to cooperate with it and is keen to keep a good relation with it.

He said Turkey has a large experience in rebuilding and establishing infrastructures, hoping it would have a role in rebuilding Kurdistan.

He also hoped diplomatic not military solutions would be used to solve the issue of the Kurdistan Workers Party with Turkey.

On his opinion regarding the Turkish and Iranian bombing to areas inside Kurdistan, Barzani said he asks neighboring countries to respect Iraq's sovereignty, saying "at the same time we do not accept that some use our land to affect others".