ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to Ankara comes at a time when Erbil’s ties with Turkey are at a peak, and when Baghdad has began its own efforts to woo Turkey and mend strained ties.
In Ankara, Barzani met with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Sources told Rudaw that the Kurdish delegation held talks with senior Turkish officials about energy, economy, trade, diplomatic relations, Syria and Ankara’s peace process with the Kurds.
Dr Osman Ali, a Professor at Salahaddin University and an expert on Turkish policy, believes that Barzani’s visit is important in a historical context.
“Before Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power, Baghdad and Ankara had signed 27 agreements and 34 protocols to work together to suppress Kurdish national aspirations and the Turkish army had made 87 incursions into the Kurdistan Region,” Osman said.
The Kurdish delegation to Ankara included several officials, including natural resources minister Ashti Hawrami. He announced plans for a new pipeline to connect the region’s oil and gas to Turkey and the world market.
Osman believes that Barzani’s trip is especially important in light of Ankara and Baghdad growing closer.
“I don’t think a Baghdad-Ankara rapprochement will have a negative impact on Erbil-Ankara relations, but Barzani’s trip was crucial for certainty of Kurdish-Turkish bilateral relations,” he noted.
“Turkey wants its investment to reach $50 billion in Kurdistan in the next 10 years,” Osman said.
Kurds are forcibly divided over Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria since the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1919. Historically, the governments of these countries have worked together to ensure that Kurdish power and aspirations of self-rule remain stifled.
When asked why Erdogan extended an invitation to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Osman said it was because of the war in Syria. “Erdogan feels alone now, especially after the US refused to carry out a military strike against Damascus. Now, Turkey needs to shift policy and make friends in the region,” he said.
According to Osman, economy and investment are two other factors pushing Erdogan toward Baghdad. He said that Turkish investments in Iraq had been reduced dramatically due to worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Turkey wants to keep a balance in its interests in Kurdistan and Iraq,” he added.
Under Erdogan, Ankara started peace negotiations with the PKK to end three decades of conflict in Turkey. On Sep 30, Erdogan announced a reform package addressing issues such as wider cultural rights, education in Kurdish in private schools, election campaigning in mother language and lowering the electoral threshold for parliamentary seats.
“To become a regional power, Turkey needs to solve the Kurdish issue and Turkey is working from this angle,” argued Osman. He said it took time for Ankara to meet all Kurdish demands due to public opinion and the ultra-nationalist forces in Turkey.
Osman also said that the Kurdish premier and Turkish foreign minister have very good relations, due to Barzani’s role as a mediator between the PKK and Ankara for the peace process. Barzani will continue his role as a mediator and Ankara needs him for this, he anticipated.
Comments
2 2 Isa Ali | 15 hours ago
Kurds wants to know; what Barzani said ? about PYD in Syria? Will Barzani cheat Iraqi Kurdistan how actually Turks approach Kurds? They never ever say in media or another publications Barzani as a " Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister." Turks says; North Iraqi regional government prime minister... I really honestly try to warn my dear nation at South Kurdistan and rest of the Kurdistan who does not live in Turkey, Turks have strong assimilation policy for Kurds with all they ways are possible. They will make Kurds in Iraq depends themselves then they can play with them as they wish. They already got strong economic ties with Iraqi Kurdistan. Please family of Barzani do not let South just depends on Turks. Deal as much as possible with Baghdad, with Iran with Esad and never ever let political issues over Kurds wherever they are belongs to either in Syria or Turkey. I am writing these things as a educated, businessman in Canada, originally from Polatli City that belongs capital Ankara. BARZAN FAMILY; FIGHT AGAINST IGNORANCE, POVERTY AND CONFLICT. but while you are doing this you have to be transparent to Kurds, otherwise we can not make it. Barzan family will be like King's family in Suudi Arabia or one of the SEH in United Arabia.
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0 0 Frsat said shkur | 10 hours ago
Of course visit Barzani it's a very Imortant for Kurdistan and turkey I hope this visit successful
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0 0 Baran | 6 hours ago
@Isa Ali, I understand your concern, but it is not just so easy like you said. You said KRG should deal also with Iraq, Iran and Assad. Fist of all, KRG deals already with Iran and Iraq, but also with Turkey, why? Because south Kurdistan have no borders to the sea ad they are surrounded by enemies. And to deal with Assad, the most hated man in the world it would be a suicide to deal with him. the KRG also use its position to support Kurds in other parts. And like this article says, before this situation, Iraq and Turkey had close ties where they agreed to fight against Kurds, now KRG broke this agreement between them, thats a good step.
