Make-up of referendum delegation visiting Baghdad announced
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The seven members of a multi-party Kurdistan delegation being sent to Baghdad in advance of the independence referendum have been announced.
The delegation met at the home of Shaweys to discuss its agenda. It has been tasked with beginning discussions with the central Iraqi government with respect to the Kurdistan Region’s September 25 referendum. They are expected to visit Baghdad after the weekend.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said his government is ready to receive the delegation.
“We can discuss any subject with the Kurdistan Region’s delegation,” Abadi said in a news conference on Tuesday. “What is important is how to take steps ahead. The powers of the Iraqi government are clear and the separation of a part of Iraq doesn’t fall within our authority.”
“Our stance will hopefully not change in the future. We are insistent on the integrity of Iraq,” he added.
They are Rozh Nuri Shaweys of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Dr. Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to the Kurdistan Region presidency, Saadi Pire of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Mohammed Ahmed of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), Majid Osman representing Turkmen, Christian representative Romeo Hakari, and Yezidi member of the KDP Vian Dakhil.
The delegation met at the home of Shaweys to discuss its agenda. It has been tasked with beginning discussions with the central Iraqi government with respect to the Kurdistan Region’s September 25 referendum. They are expected to visit Baghdad after the weekend.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said his government is ready to receive the delegation.
“We can discuss any subject with the Kurdistan Region’s delegation,” Abadi said in a news conference on Tuesday. “What is important is how to take steps ahead. The powers of the Iraqi government are clear and the separation of a part of Iraq doesn’t fall within our authority.”
“Our stance will hopefully not change in the future. We are insistent on the integrity of Iraq,” he added.