Iraqi Kurd leader lauds relations with Turkey

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 21: A new phase of relations will start between Turkey and Iraq, Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani says during an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency on June 21, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on Friday with Barzani, who has arrived in Istanbul in his first overseas visit since inauguration on June 10. Referring to his closed-door meeting with Erdogan, Barzani said: "I am convinced that a new phase will start in relations between [Iraq's] Kurdish region, Turkey and Iraq. I hope my visit will contribute to improving relations." Barzani said that Ankara and Erbil have a historic bond of friendship. "Turkey has helped our people in all the difficult periods," Barzani said. Noting that the current trade volume between Turkey and Iraq totals at around $13 billion, Barzani underlined that the two leaders also discussed the expansion of trade volume, as well as the necessary steps to achieve this target. "We have seen that President [Erdogan] is very keen on this issue and expects Iraq to make rapid progress in increasing the trade volume," he said, adding that they are ready "if any steps are needed to increase the volume of trade". Barzani also stressed on the role of KRG in the oil trade between Turkey and Iraq, saying that they are willing to increase the capacity of the existing pipeline in order to export more oil in the future. Speaking about the PKK terrorist group's presence in Iraq's Sinjar, Makhmur and border areas, Barzani said the KRG is against the usage of its lands to attack neighboring countries, especially Turkey. He said that the main reason for military operations in the region is the presence of PKK there.(Footage by Arif Comert/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)