Prime Minister Erdogan congratulates Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani
Below is a translation of the text:
Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Authority,
Your Excellency Prime Minister, my dear brother,
We were very pleased to hear that the eighth cabinet of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government was officially announced and that you will continue in your role as Prime Minister. I hope that the new KRG cabinet will be a cause for good and happiness for the entire Iraqi people and the Kurdistan Region.
There is no doubt that you will perform your tasks and duties successfully, just like you have in the past, and we observe with respect the advanced steps made by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in order to progress and improve economic growth internally. I am pleased that our bilateral relations over the past few years have reached high levels, and I hope that with this new government we will see expansion and further progress in these relations in all different fields. It is in this context that our country will continue its support in the security sector and abide by all the promises it has made to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
This sensitive phase through which Iraq is passing means that your wise and intrepid leadership is more essential than ever. Regarding steps that need to be taken so that Iraq can overcome its current problems, we need further bilateral cooperation today more than ever before.
We are very pleased to see your tireless efforts in providing shelter to the tens of thousands of displaced civilians from the city of Mosul and the city of Tala’far, which is predominantly inhabited by Turkmen. I am confident that this will only be temporary and that these difficult days will not last for a long time. There is no doubt that these steps promote the spirit of brotherhood between the Turkmen and Kurds, and I am certain that during the new government under your leadership, the rights and interests of Turkmen living in the Kurdistan Region will be protected.
On the occasion of the assumption of your role as Prime Minister, I would like to congratulate you once again. I would like to also take this opportunity to request that you convey my warm regards to His Excellency the President of the Kurdistan Region and my dear brother, Masoud Barzani.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
19 June 2014
Ankara
