Primakov: Kirkuk’s Issue is Iraq’s internal affair

PUkmedia         13:55      2008/05/09

Yevgeny Primakov, the president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a joint press conference with Kusrat Rasul Ali, the Vice President of Kurdistan Region, today in Sulaimani International Airport.

Primakov expressed his pleasure to visit Kurdistan Region which was a response to President Talabani’s invitation. He praised all aspects of progress in the Region; he said that Kurdistan Region is growing so fast, referring to the stability and security in Kurdistan Region.

In response to a question concerning the future of Kirkuk, Primakov said:” the Issue of Kirkuk is an Iraqi internal affair, and will be solved when borders of Kurdistan Region are demarcated. I believe the necessity to restore Kirkuk to Kurdistan Region.”

“This visit is not the first step in reinforcing bilateral relations, there are Russian companies working in Iraq for a long time. Economic Protocols are going to be signed between both sides”, Primakov said

Mr. Kusrat Rasul described Primakov’s visit as the historical, he said” The Visit of the Russian Delegation to Kurdistan Region is political, Economic and moral one,it expresses Mr. Primakov sincere feelings towards the People of Kurdistan.”

In his answer to PUKmedia Correspondent question about the visit Primakov said,” My visit was a response to the invitation of His Excellency President Jalal Talabani whom I have long historical relations with, we are friends since 40 years. I received an invitation from Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki to visit Baghdad, I will respond it soon.”

Primakov’s Farwell Ceremony in Sulaimani International Airport was also attended by:    Mr. Omar Fatah, Deputy PM of KRG, Mala Bakhtiyar the active member of the PUK Politburo and a number of the government and political officials.