Massoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, lauded the good historic ties between Palestinians and Kurds, affirming that Kurds are well aware of the suffering and tragedies witnessed by Palestinians. He underlined the common denominators between the two peoples, mainly their struggle for independence and for their legitimate national rights and aspirations, and hoped for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue through civilized dialogue. Mr. Barzani was speaking at a meeting in Salah Eddine Town with a delegation from Hebron Municipality chaired by Khaled Osaily, Head of the Municipal Council and comprising Mr. Isaac Al Natsheh, member of the Municipal Council as well as a number of Palestinian businessmen.

At the meeting also attended by Mr. Nozad Hadi, Governor of Arbil and by a number of the Governorate’s Council members, Mayor Osaily, speaking on behalf of his delegation, thanked the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and its officials for their interest in this visit, and conveyed to President Barzani the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and his wish to open a PNA office in Arbil, a city undergoing huge developments at all levels. He hoped that this visit will constitute a historic and positive turning point in relations between both parties, and recalled the admirable stances taken by the late leader Mostapha Barzani as well as by the Region’s current president regarding the Palestinian issue. Palestinians will never forget these commendable stances, he added. Mayor Osaily also highlighted the PNA’s desire to establish closer economic and commercial ties with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the willingness by Palestinian businessmen to implement investment projects in the Region.

President Barzani commended the positions taken by President Abbas to bring the two peoples closer and to create friendly ties between them in order to lay the foundation for further and deeper joint relations. He described President Abbas’s visit to the Region - which was the first such visit by any Arab leader - as a historic step. Finally, President Barzani welcomed the opening of a PNA office in Arbil and assured that the Region’s authorities shall facilitate procedures in this regard.