Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Mr. Ján Kubiš, and his accompanying delegation.

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani also attended the meeting.

UN Envoy Kubiš expressed his satisfaction with the positive steps taken by the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi federal government and hoped for more serious talks in order to resolve outstanding issues. In this regard, he also expressed United Nations readiness to provide any assistance.

He presented an overview of his efforts to create an appropriate atmosphere for holding Iraqi elections, including the gathering of  Iraqi political parties yesterday to sign a charter of honor to ensure holding successful elections.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Mr. Kubiš for his support for the ongoing talks between Erbil and Baghdad, that resulted in solving some issues. He expressed his aspiration for serious dialogue to resolve other outstanding issues.

Also, he considered the participation of the Kurdistan political parties in yesterday’s gathering of Iraqi political parties as support to the political process in Iraq and the upcoming elections. He also discussed the importance of holding elections in the Kurdistan Region on time.

Prime Minister Barzani raised the plight of those internally displaced persons, who returned voluntarily to their places of origin, but due to lack of security and basic services have returned to their camps. He said it is necessary the Iraqi government, with the assistance of the international community, find a solution to this issue.