France calls for dialogue between Kurds, Iraqis

PARIS, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- French President Emmanuel Macron called on Saturday for the launch of a national and constructive dialogue between Iraqi and Kurdish officials.
Macron said "a strong and pluralist Iraq that recognizes all segments is a key to stability in the region." The French President, at a joint news conference with Prime Minister of Iraq's Kurdistan region Nechirvan Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, said the new generation of Kurds "carries a historic responsibility." Barzani said the Kurdish authorities were ready for dialogue with the government in Baghdad to iron out all sticky issues.
The Kurds, he underlined, respected the ruling of the Iraqi supreme court which considered last September 25 separation referendum unconstitutional.
France, said Barzani, could play an active role in solving problems with Baghdad and in line with the constitution. (end) mjz.bs