Main opposition CHP delegation meets KRG PM Masrour Barzani

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Led by party vice chair Oğuz Kaan Salıcı, a delegation from Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had talks in Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The CHP delegation met KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Afterwards, the delegation also met former KRG President and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masoud Barzani.

A statement has been released by the KRG after this visit. The statement has "expressed the KRG's appreciation that the CHP Vice Chair extended the greetings of his party's Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and visited the KRG for the first time with such a high-profile delegation."

The statement has also indicated that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relations between Turkey and the KRG.

'Things must settle down in the Middle East'

CHP's Salıcı has also posted a message following the visit and said, "We are talking about the Middle East Peace and Cooperation Organization (OBİT). We, as the Republican People's Party, will do our part to make every constructive contribution to ensure that our channels of dialogue with our neighbors are kept open and things will settle down in the Middle East."

In another statement before the visit, Salıcı said, "The Republican People's Party, believing in the importance of keeping the channels of communication with neighbors open, will do its part as the main opposition party with great sensitivity and responsibility and make every constructive contribution to ensure that things settle down in the Middle East."

Following the meetings with the KDP, KYB, Goran Movement representatives and Ezidi Faith Leaders in Erbil, the main opposition CHP's delegation will go to Kirkuk and visit the Iraqi Turkmen Front. Led by CHP Vice Chair Salıcı, the delegation is also joined by Foreign Relations Chief Advisor and İstanbul MP Ünal Çeviköz, Party Assembly member Nevaf Bilek, Prof. Mehmet Hasan Eken and Enver Ömür Polat.

NOTE: CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu made the following remarks about the OBİT on January 9, 2020: "The establishment of the Middle East Peace and Cooperation Organization (OBİT) and the meeting of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria... Then, if needs be, the joining of Egypt, Israel or other surrounding countries as observers... The Middle East needs peace. The Middle East must be saved from proxy wars. Turkey needs to take on a more active role."

(RT/SD)