Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Barzani to Visit Turkey Today, Biden Tomorrow | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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President of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region speaks in Erbil on January 11, 2015 (AFP Photo/Safin Hamed)


Ankara – President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, will fly to Ankara on Tuesday and meet Turkish politicians.

Barzani will meet Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yildrim, and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu, According to Turkish sources.

Barzani will discuss a series of current and regional matters including the latest developments in Iraq and Syria.

Barzani’s visit comes one day before the planned visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Barzani’s visit is important at the time Turkey is trying to prevent Kurdish inclination in northern Syria to form a federalist.

Barzani and Turkish high-ranked officials will discuss the resumption of peace process between the Justice and Development (AKP) Party-led government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The talks regarding PKK are important for Turkey that is seeking a guaranteed U.S. aid to keep People’s Protection Units (YPG) from west of Euphrates and out of Manbij.

Ankara believes that a support position of Barzani will help with the talks with Biden.

Two other topics that will be discussed between Barzani and the Turkish officials are Mosul liberation operation from the ISIS and the failed coup attempt in Turkey and its aftermath.

In addition, the officials and Barazani will discuss the cooperation in fields of energy especially with the resumption of oil pumping from north Iraq to Gihan harbor in Turkey.