ERBIL, Kurdistan Region— A high-profile delegation from the pro-Kurdish, Turkish opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) arrived in Erbil on Saturday to meet with Kurdistan Region’s authorities and political leaders, discuss “regional issues and the unity of Kurds.”
HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli is heading the delegation. This is Temelli’s first trip to Kurdistan Region.
“Our presence here today is very important because, as you know, the main issues in the world are in the Middle East. The resolution of these issues includes the will and struggle of Kurds,” he told reporters after arriving at Erbil International Airport (EIA).
He said the Kurdistan Region is one of the places in the Middle East where “the politics of the world is determined.”
“We have an important initiative and responsibility for the resolution of Turkish and Middle East issues. We hope that our visit will bring peace to all the people of the region,” he added.
The delegation met with Masoud Barzani, leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), in Erbil. Though there has been no readout from any side regarding the visit, a video tweeted by the party's English-language account showed a meeting between Barzani and HDP members in session.
Headed by our co-chair Sezai Temelli, our delegation met with Mr. Massoud Barzani in Iraqi #Kurdistan. The parties exchanged views on various matters including regional issues and the unity of Kurds. pic.twitter.com/kvDPVoXH3A
— HDP English (@HDPenglish) September 7, 2019
Temelli told reporters at the EIA that “I want to exchange views on Bashur [Kurdistan Region] and Turkey relations with him.”
The delegation is expected to meet to meet on Sunday with President Nechirvan Barzani and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), then head to Sulaimani province on Monday to meet with Iraqi President Barham Salih and Sulaimani-based political parties, Muzeyyen Gunes, head of HDP office in Kurdistan Region told Rudaw before the delegation arrived.
It is not yet clear whether they will meet with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during their four-day visit.
The HDP has faced waves of crackdown by Turkish authorities that worsened after a failed military coup attempt in July 2016, which led to the arrest of both the HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, as well as thousands of party members - despite their condemnation of the putsch.
The removal of three democratically-elected HDP mayors on August 19 was the latest example of the clampdown.
Adem Geveri, a former HDP lawmaker and outspoken party member told Rudaw TV from Van province in Turkey that the deposed mayors will be among the range of Kurdish-related issues to be discussed in the meetings.
“The HDP is practicing diplomacy with both international and local powers. Although it is late, it wants to have meetings with its friends from Kurdistan Region regarding [Kurdish] unity,” he said, adding that the HDP is seeking support against “threats” against Kurds in Syria and Turkey.
Another HDP delegation consisting of women party members visited Kurdistan Region last week, trying to create a Kurdish women’s union.
Temelli, the ethnically Turkish co-chair of the HDP, told journalists on Saturday in Erbil that they are fighting for peace not only for Turkey but globally.
“We are fighting for peace in Turkey. The fight is not limited to Kurdish borders. If there is no peace in the Middle East, there will be no peace for the whole world,” he said.
“One of the most important subjects [in Turkey] is to stay away from Kurdish animosity. If there is not peace with Kurds, there will be no peace in Turkey or the region.”
Last updated at 4:51 pm
