MESOP KURDISTAN (KRG) & TEHRAN / PUK INVITES IRANIAN DELEGATION

– Iran Promotes Continuation of Kurd – Shi’ite Alliance / President Masum will visit Kurdistan Region to discuss disputes between Erbil and Baghdad

Basnews | Shwan Barzinji – 09.06.2015 – ERBIL – The Islamic Republic of Iran is encouraging Iraqi Shi’ites and Kurds to continue the alliance which during the first government following the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime.A source from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has told BasNews that the President of Iraq is to meet his Kurdistan Region counterpart in Erbil soon, in order to deliver a letter from PM Haider al-Abadi, which addresses the Shi’ite – Kurd alliance and the strained relationship between Baghdad and Erbil.

“PM al-Abadi has suggested a number of solutions in the letter, and President Masum will discuss the options during his meeting with President Barzani.”The source added, “During his latest visit to Iran, President Masum was asked by Tehran officials to mediate between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government. “However, discussions are ongoing among the Iraqi Shi’ite alliance to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad.” Budget, oil and the Peshmerga are the main areas of disagreement between the central and regional governments. Baghdad has been sending a reduced share of the budget to the KRG since January 2014. Kurdish Member of the Iraqi Parliament Ashwaq Jaff has confirmed the report and told BasNews that al-Abdai’s letter aims to calm the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

The PUK source, who wished to remain anonymous, also revealed that Kurdish political parties will receive an Iranian delegation in Sulaimaniyah in the near future to strengthen ties between Shi’ites and Kurds. “Some other meetings will take place in Tehran letter in which the Kurdistan independence referendum will be discussed.”