The Erbil talks which began on 17 December ended last night. After the talks Ilham Ehmed said that in addition to the Semalka border crossing being opened for aid and to meet the needs of the people a decision had been taken to "respect all the Rojava martyrs and recognise what was owed to their families".

Ilham Ehmed added: "If the situation of the Kurds is not to be discussed, then the Kurds will boycott Geneva."

It is reported that the two assemblies will explain the conclusions of the talks at a press conference later today.

The Rojava People's Assembly (MGRK) and the Syrian Kurdish National Council (SKNC) began talks on 17 December. MGRK members initially met Federal Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani, after which they met officials of the El Parti, Yekiti, El Wahde, Parti Azadi and Partiya Peşveru, which are part of the SKNC.

Due to internal disagreements in the SKNC, the talks lasted nearly a week.

The visit to Hewler of Syrian National Council President, Ahmad al-Jarba, was also seen as an attempt to prevent efforts to forge unity. Prior to the meeting, the KCK gave "its full backing", adding: "If at this meeting a joint stance is adopted on the subject of Geneva, and if the transitional administration is strengthened, it will play a key role in the resolution of the Kurdish question and the democratisation of Syria."

KCK Executive Council member, Mustafa Karasu, said that agreement had been reached between the PKK and KDP on 4 main points. He stressed the importance of "overcoming difficulties in Rojava, finding a resolution in the framework of national unity and of attending Geneva with a common position".