Iraqi Kurd official wants Turkey, Iran bombing to stop

Barzani wrote that the Kurdish regional government understood the importance of a peaceful relationship with all its neighbors, based on mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs, as the Kurdish administration resolves internal issues. Â

"To that end, we will continue reassuring our neighbors that a federal Iraq is not a threat. But we will also continue to encourage our neighbors to do what they can to stop terrorists from infiltrating Iraq," he wrote.

"We think it is imperative that Middle Eastern states send their diplomatic representatives to Iraq, and for these states to proactively prevent terrorists from slipping across their borders. Unprovoked and recurring bombardment of the northern Iraq by Turkey and Iran must stop," he added.

Turkey and Iran have been long fighting against the terrorist movements operated by both the outlawed PKK separatists and PEJAK, the PKK’s breakaway faction in Iran. 

Ankara has also begun to establish a dialogue mechanism with the Kurdish administration of northern Iraq, an important shift in Turkey's foreign policy as a part of its intensified fight against the separatist PKK on both diplomatic and military fronts.

Barzani also wrote there has been a historic step forward in Kurdish regional government-Turkish relations.

A Turkish delegation on May 1 met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Nechirvan Barzani to handle issues that caused tension in relations recently.

"We reiterated to our Turkish colleagues our commitment to good neighborly relations, which is underscored by the growing Turkish investment in the Kurdistan Region," he added referring to the talks on May 1.

"Our talks also focused on the need for practical steps and continued dialogue on all outstanding issues, including the problem of the PKK," he added.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and most of the international community, including the EU and the U.S.. 

 Photo: AA