In his New Year message, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani expressed his hope that 2016 will herald in peace and prosperity for the people of Kurdistan and the whole world.

"I wish a happy New Year to the people of Kurdistan and the whole world. I hope 2016 will usher in peace and prosperity and the end of terrorism in the whole world," said the President in his message.

On the difficulties in the country in 2015, the President said, "In 2015, as a result of continued budget cuts by Baghdad government, the drop in oil prices, the hosting of 1.8 million IDPs and refugees, and the costs of the campaign against ISIS, our people faced great hardships. "

The President praised the bravery and the sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in the fight against the ISIS terrorists. “In 2015, our brave peshmerga made great sacrifices but also made major victories against the terrorists.”

On the internal political disputes in Kurdistan the President said, "At the beginning of the New Year, I will meet with the political parties to find a resolution to the problems that have hindered the political process, and to help the government and parliament to operate on new basis. "

"On the presidency issue, I again call on all the political parties to convene and settle this issue permanently. They should either decide on early elections for a new president, or name a new president until 2017, or agree on the status quo to continue until 2017, because of war and the extraordinary situation in Kurdistan. I will put all my support behind any president that the parties can agree on to serve until 2017.

"At these difficult times, our people need our political unity more than anything else. Instead of political bickering, we must unite to address the pressing challenges faced by our people. “