SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Co-president Bafel Talabani met with Russian, Chinese and Iranian ambassadors in Baghdad on Monday.
Talabani, who arrived in the Iraqi capital on Saturday, held its first meeting with Russian Ambassador to Iraq Elbrus Kutrashev to discuss relations and cooperation, his office said in a statement.
He stressed the development of cooperation in all fields between the Kurdistan Region and Russia, including assistance to the armed forces in Iraq and the Region to confront terror and to overcome the security challenges, the statement read.
Talabani, accompanied by a PUK delegation, also stressed on stability and political security and tranquility in Iraq, according to the statement.
The PUK co-leader called on the international community to play a “positive role” and support succeeding the political process in Iraq and the Region, the statement read.
Separately, Talabani held talks with Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao to discuss the latest political, economic and security developments in the country.
He emphasized the PUK’s desire to further develop historic relations between the Kurdistan Region and China, his office said in a separate statement.
“We want to revive coordination and cooperation and to expand the historic relation which President Mam Jalal had built, and we want you to help us further develop our Region,” Talabani was cited as saying.
Regarding developing the Region’s infrastructure, the PUK delegation said there was a “good opportunity” for investment in energy, agriculture, industry and trade sectors.
The Chinese ambassador, for his part, reiterated his support for PUK efforts, saying China will continue to provide support and assistance for Iraq and the Region.
In a separate meeting with Iranian ambassador Iraj Masjedi, Talabani said the PUK was with understanding and constructive national talks between the political parties in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
“We want to rebuild trust on the basis of public and national interests,” Talabani added, according to a statement by his office.
Regarding the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) remnants, Talabani emphasized the “importance of continuity of coordination to overcome security gaps and to protect security and stability,” the statement said.
Talabani is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller on Monday evening.
*This story was updated at 03:46 p.m. EBL time
