Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today received the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš, who handed Mr. Barzani a letter from UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres.

In the letter, Mr. Guterres expressed his support for holding peaceful political negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad based on the Iraqi Constitution to resolve outstanding issues.

In his letter to Prime Minister Barzani, Mr. Guterres wrote that he is encouraged by the fact that the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government have publically expressed openness to such negotiations on several occasions.

Mr. Guterres added that he encourages both sides to take necessary steps to create a conducive environment in which productive negotiations can take place.

At the request of the parties concerned, he elaborated that the United Nations stands ready to assist. He also cautioned that further destabilization must be prevented in a volatile region where ISIS continues to pose a threat.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Mr. Kubiš hailed Erbil and Baghdad’s efforts to deescalate the tension between them.

Prime Minister Barzani appreciated the UN Secretary General’s letter and the UN's support, and reaffirmed the KRG’s stance of readiness to resolve all issues through dialogue within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.