Barzani arrives in Turkey

As part of his two-day visit, Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan regional of Iraq, yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his office in Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul. Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu were also present at the meeting, which was closed to press. Reportedly, the fight against terrorism, Turkey's new approach towards the Kurdish issue, a Kurdish conference which was planned to be held in Erbil, domestic political developments in Iraq and the situation in Syria were discussed, and cooperation between Turkey and Kurdish regional administration in terms of fighting terrorism and related steps to be taken were evaluated during the two-hour meeting. Afterwards, Barzani met with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi at Conrad Hotel in Istanbul. Speaking after the meeting, Hashemi said that they have exchanged the results of Barzani's visit to the US and his contacts in Gulf countries. Furthermore, Hashemi said that the two have discussed the meeting held by Barzani and Erdogan. "Barzani said that his contacts with Erdogan have yielded fruitful and useful results. I have also got the same impression from my meeting with Erdogan. I hope we're following the right path," Hashemi added. Touching upon his meeting with Barzani before leaving for a visit to Qatar, Erdogan said that he has also discussed activities of the terrorist PKK during his meeting with Barzani, adding that Barzani had the same approach with regard to the issue and that he was also disturbed by the PKK.