The International Kurdish Conference, organised jointly by the Union of International Kurdish Social Institutions and Russian Institute of Strategic Research (RISI) has kicked off in Moscow.

The conference under title “Foundation Perspective of International Coalition for Struggle against ISIS”, is attended by delegations from North Kurdistan and Rojava, chair of A Just Russia, Sergey Mironov, as well as many other politicians, academics, Middle East and Asia researchers and journalists. The Kurdish institutions and organisations based in Russian Federation are also attending the conference.

'KURDS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROCESS'

The opening speech of the conference was made by the head of Russian Institute of Strategic Research, Leonid Petrovich, who stressed that a new process is underway in the Middle East and that the Kurds play an important role in this process. “This is why we will assess the strategic importance of both the region and the Kurds in our conference”, said Petrovich.

Speaking after, A Just Russia party chair Sergey Miranov recalled that there are some forces disturbed by the Russian intervention in Syria, adding;

“The U.S. is taking decisions to determine the faith of Syria without asking the opinions of other powers. However, at the current stage, it has been proved how wrong these decisions are. Additionally, the U.S. does not take into consideration the national interests of the people as it acts in line with its own interests and leaves a wreck behind everywhere it intervenes. Vladimir Putin has clearly expressed Russia's attitude and tha it will no more remain silent on the developments taking place in the region.”

'U.S. DOESN'T HIT REAL TARGETS'

Stressing that the U.S. in fact helps ISIS by not hitting the places that must actually be targeted, Miranov went on saying that all the international forces should take a joint decision about Syria and the peoples living in the region, as this is not a decision to be left to one single state or force alone.

Miranov further drew attention to the assessments of Russian President Putin at the UN General Assembly, saying the coalition against ISIS can achieve important results only if it truly undertakes its responsibilities, in which the influence of Russia must also be taken into consideration.

“Global forces consider Russia as a threat to themselves. However, everyone knows very well that the international coalition can be successful neither against ISIS nor in Syria unless Russia is included”, he underlined.

'SOME ARE DISTURBED BY THE RUSSIAN INTERVENTION IN SYRIA'

Noting that there are some forces disturbed by the Russian intervention in the Syria, Miranov said; “We have considered PYD from very beginning as having an important mission in Syria. PYD strengthens the possibility of a democratic solution in Syria with its presence. We are ready to work together with all the forces against ISIS”, stressed Miranov.

The conference continues with the speeches of representatives from Kurdish institutions and international organisations.