Istanbul, Turkey (KRG.org) - A large delegation of senior Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials participated in a dialogue initiative in Istanbul to strengthen relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

The initiative, organised by the United States Atlantic Council, the American University and Columbia University, brought together KRG officials in their private capacity and Kurdistan Region’s private sector leaders, with Turkish academics, journalists, civil society organisation representatives and former politicians.

Dr Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to President Masoud Barzani, said in his opening speech, “The visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to Erbil signifies a higher level and a new stage in the relations between the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and Turkey.”

He added, “It was heartening to see President Barzani and Foreign Minister Davutoğlu refer to the brotherhood of Turks and Kurds, of Sunnis and Shia. It is not only commercial, strategic, political or economic relations that bind us together. We share the Middle East, all of us, and with cooperation we can find common ground and move towards a future in which we all live in peace, stability and prosperity.”

The conference, held on November 2 and 3, highlighted areas of cooperation including education, culture, trade, energy, and recent trends in Turkey.

The discussion focused on the further institutionalisation of the relationship, including strategic partnerships, friendship associations, opening of a second border crossing and confidence-building measures. The role of civil society and positive trends in the relationship and in Turkey’s internal development were emphasised.

The high-level visit to Istanbul follows the historic visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Çağlayan to Erbil last week.

See also:

President Barzani, Turkey's Foreign Minister Davutoğlu hold historic meetings, announce plans to open consulate

Hurriyet: Two days with Iraqi Kurds…

Hurriyet: The Kurd’s Istanbul landing

KRG officials and citizens from the Kurdistan Region who participated in the Istanbul dialogue initiative included:

Dr. Fuad Hussein (Chief of Staff, KRP)

Karim Sinjari (Interior Minister, KRG)

Falah Mustafa Bakir (Minister, KRG Foreign Relations)

Safeen Dizayee (Education Minister, KRG)

Ashti Hawrami (Natural Resources Minister, KRG)

Herish Muharam (Minister and Chairman of the Investment Board)

Abubakir Ali (Minister for the Region and Member, Kurdistan Islamic Union Politburo)

Khaled Salih (Senior Adviser to the Minister for Natural Resources)

Kamran Karadaghi (Former Chief of Staff to Iraqi President Jalal Talabany)

Dara Jalil Khayat (President, Erbil Chamber of Commerce)

Hassan Baqi (President, Suleimaniah Chamber of Commerce)

Ayad Hassan Abdulhalem (President, Dohuk Chamber of Commerce)

Ali Saed Mohammed (President, University of Suleimaniah)

Asmat M. Khalid (President, University of Dohuk)

Sirwan Mustafa (Korek)

Mohammad Sadiq (President, University of Salahaddin)