This five-day visit comes following an official invitation by the Turkish government last April. President Barzani's last official visit to Ankara was in early 2004 as President of the Iraqi Governing Council. President Barzani, who is heading a senior KRG delegation in this visit, will discuss with the Turkish leadership several issues of mutual concern including bilateral trade relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region, border security and Iraq-Turkey relations.

The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara will host a reception for the President and his delegation and invite a number of foreign diplomats and dignitaries in Ankara. In the second part of his trip to Turkey, the President will meet with the Turkish business community in Istanbul to encourage economic and investment cooperation between the two countries and to talk about business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region. He will also meet with the Turkish press.

The President is then due to make an official visit to Paris where he will meet President Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Kouchner. In this visit, President Barzani will discuss bilateral relations including educational, trade and cultural cooperation.

 

Source: Kurdish Globe