ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Sunday stressed the need for Iraq and Kurdistan Region to work together to address ongoing challenges and reaffirmed the Region’s commitment to enhance ties with neighbors in his New Year address.
“We must all work together, in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, to resolve issues and overcome crises through dialogue and understanding, in a spirit of shared responsibility, mutual acceptance and solidarity,” said Barzani.
Barzani recalled a year that was marked by “by obstacles and perils brought about by the political, security, and economic circumstances, as well as the problems and crises,” in Iraq, Kurdistan Region and the region. The Kurdistan Region was unable to “attain its constitutional rights,” according to the president.
“Despite talks, efforts, and commitments, many of the constitutional rights and entitlements of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq were not fulfilled, contrary to political agreements and the Constitution. The peace and stability of the Kurdistan Region were repeatedly threatened by drone attacks,” he said.
“On this occasion, we reaffirm the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to enhancing our ties with our neighboring countries, the region, and the world, based on mutual respect and shared interests,” said Barzani and called on both Baghdad and Erbil to “learn from the past” and work for a better future together.
2023 was an eventful year for the Kurdistan Region. The region’s oil exports were halted in March following an arbitration court ruling in favour of Iraq against Turkey, worsening the fragile oil-dependent economy. Several agreements between Erbil and Baghdad were signed in order to minimize the aftermath of the stoppage of oil flow, however the disputes between the two sides continued, even after Iraq passed its budget law.
The Iraqi federal government decided that the Kurdistan Region’s parliament extending its term the last year was “unconstitutional,” effectively dissolving the legislature, while a date for a parliamentary election was pushed back multiple times.
The region’s security was not safe either. Turkish drones infiltrated the borders, targeting Sulaimani airport in April and Arbat airport in September, while Iran-backed factions targeted United States-led coalition forces in Erbil.
