Barzani says Iraqi Kurds want better relations with Turkey

Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, speaking before a key visit to Turkey this week, said over the weekend that the Kurdish administration wants to improve relations with Ankara, describing the northern neighbor as a country with an important role in the region. Barzani stated in a speech addressed to the regional parliament that the Kurdish administration was working to improve relations with Turkey, noting that better ties will benefit both sides. Economic relations will further develop as ties improve in other fields too, Barzani said. The Kurdish leader also warned against instability in the Kurdish region, saying efforts to that effect were unacceptable.