Barzani expresses concern for Syrian Kurds' future in meeting with Russians

Duvar English

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has told Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov that he is concerned about the future of the Syrian Kurds.

"President Barzani expressed his worry for the future of the Kurdish people in Syria to the Special Russian Presidential Envoy and presented his opinion and suggestions for resolving the question of the Kurdish people in Syria," a statement from Barzani’s office read.

Bogdanov, President Vladimir Putin's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, arrived in Erbil on Jan. 29 to meet with multiple senior Iraqi Kurdistan Region officials.

Bogdanov told Kurdish media on Jan. 30 that Kurdish parties in Syria have to united to be able to undertake serious dialogue with all national groups in the future.

Had a productive meeting with @mfa_russia delegation today headed by Mikhail Bogdanov. We discussed the developments in Iraq, Kurdistan and the wider Middle East. We also explored ways of further strengthening the cultural, political and economic relations between the two sides. pic.twitter.com/D8waPRuRUo

— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) January 29, 2020

"We wish our Syrian friends, and our friends in the [Syrian] Kurdish National Council, success in the fight against terror and resolving issues within the framework of a wholesome, constructive dialogue between all Syrians,” Rudaw cited Bogdanov as telling Kurdish media during a meeting with representatives of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (ENKS).

"We always say that the Kurdish position has to be cohesive, united, constructive and realistic to form the basis for dialogue with the other parties in a serious, responsible manner," added Bogdanov, who also met with Regional President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

"We hope the Syrian people, all the components of the Syrian society, Arabs, Kurds, and all ethnic and religious groups, to live in peace, in normal conditions, tolerance and peaceful co-existence,” Bogdanov said.

“We support all solutions and all suggestions that are suitable to everyone’s position on the basis of balance of interests and mutual understandings.”

Ibrahim Bero, member of the foreign relations committee of ENKS, told Rudaw that the meeting "was good" and partially focused on the condition of Syrian Kurdish areas.

"Russia’s stance is clear. It says that Kurds should unite, unify demands, that for Syria’s political situation be resolved based on international decisions, for the rights of Kurds and all other components be made clear in the future of Syria," Bero said, adding that meetings will continue with Russians, "who have promised to meet again."