Ladies and Gentlemen,
The recent visits by the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, President Barzani and his accompanying delegation to Baghdad, holding meetings with the Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar Al-Abbadi and other senior officials, have created hope and opportunity to settle the disagreements with the Iraqi government. We hope that we reach an agreement, through dialogue and mutual understanding, on all standing issues, including the nature of the future relations between Kurdistan and the Iraqi state, in a way which serves the interests of the citizens of Kurdistan Region and Iraq. It’s important to us that our friends and brothers in Baghdad know that the current situation cannot continue. Through dialogue and mutual understanding, we must reach an agreement on our future in Iraq and assure that stability continues across Iraq.
As the preparations, at both local and international levels, are underway for the liberation of the city of Mosul, this operation will have direct impact on the situation in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the economic, investment and commercial domains. After the liberation, we hope to see more Iraqi and foreign businesses invest in the Kurdistan Region.
But we should not forget that Mosul issue is more a political issue than a military one. Liberating Mosul militarily will not settle the issues of this province. It is true that the capital of what ISIS calls Caliphate or the Islamic State will be liberated from the terrorists. However, what is more important is the post-liberation period, for which all its ethnic, religious and sectarian components should play a role in the political process and have a say on the future of their region and the way it will be administered. If this is not done, rather than solving the current problems, additional problems will certainly surface. Therefore, this important and sensitive issue should be settled now through an agreement among all the components of Mosul.
In the end, I welcome you again and wish to see the conference achieve its goals. I commend the Kurdistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, its president Mr. Dara Jalil Khayat and his colleagues as well as the Kurdistan Centre for Information and Strategic Research for having organized this conference. I hope its outcome will contribute to improving the situation in the Kurdistan Region and solidifying the role and position of the private sector in the Kurdistan Region. I congratulate Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
I would like to convey my condolences to the families of the martyrs and salute our fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifices protect Kurdistan and its bright future. I also wish a speedy recovery for the injured. I express my gratitude to the heroic Peshmergas and all members of the security forces of the Kurdistan Region. Thanks to their heroism and sacrifice, our country is safe and secure today.
I express my gratitude and appreciation to the people of Kurdistan, all the public servants and pensioners who understand the magnitude of the challenges facing our country and have remained resilient. We reassure everyone that we will overcome the current situation and a bright future is waiting for Kurdistan.
Thank you, and have a nice day.
(Source: KRG)
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