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EU Ready to Mediate Between Erbil and Baghdad: Envoy

BasNews 9 Oct 2017 – ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani received the European Union Ambassador to Iraq, Ramon Blecua, and his accompanying delegation. The EU Ambassador lauded the Kurdistan Regional Government for its humanitarian efforts and sheltering large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.The parties exchanged views about the latest political developments in Iraq, particularly the independence referendum of the Kurdistan Region and the reactions that followed the vote.

The delegation offered the EU’s mediation between Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their issues through dialogue.Regarding the international efforts to kickstart the negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad, Barzani emphasized that they were ready for discussions with Baghdad on an open agenda and without any preconditions and they will give the dialogues as much time as needed.President of France Emanuel Macron also stated earlier this month that “France is ready to contribute actively to the mediation.” www.mesop.de