Participants of the workshop in South Kurdistan highlighted that people from different parts of Kurdistan came together in such an event in order to find solutions to current problems for the first time, and that Kurdish people can form stronger unions and govern their own futures.

Politicians and activists that have participated in the South Kurdistan workshop spoke to ANF and stated the following:

YNK Central Committee Member Westa Resul: I believe that it is very important for this workshop to be held in Kirkuk because there were debates on the status of Kirkuk recently. I think the workshop went well. All the political parties freely express their opinions. I believe that the future activities of the Kurds after the war against ISIS should be debated during the workshop. Self-protection should not be the only gain of Kurdish people from the fight against ISIS. The borders and status of Kurdistan should be determined. Internal peace is very important without a doubt. We have to concentrate on this and find the right path and methods. However, we should also clarify our status and the borders of our country.

Tevgera Azadi Deputy Co-President Hüseyin Kerkuki: It is very important for this workshop to be held in a period of political, economical and social problems in South Kurdistan. We needed such a gathering at a time when problems could not be solved. We need to express our problems to each other and find solution paths together. This is the purpose of the workshop. It is as important for representatives from other parts of Kurdistan to attend the workshop as it is for the representatives of political parties in South Kurdistan, because this is how we find solutions to our shared problems. A national reflex is forming, and it is important to come up with accurate solutions to our problems through national consciousness and responsibility.

HİWA Women’s Movement Representative Sırud Mıhemed: It is important that the workshop takes place in Kirkuk because Kirkuk is a bleeding wound for Kurdish people. We aim to solve our problems through accurate discussion and dialogue. Therefore, this workshop offers us an important opportunity to come together. We can now openly criticize others and offer our solution paths, as opposed to doing this behind closed doors. Many politicians, intellectuals and NGO representatives are participating in this workshop, and many televisions broadcast the different approaches of the workshop’s participants. This is meaningful because people can be informed about the thoughts and views of everyone. Another importance of this workshop is that representatives from different parts of Kurdistan view the problems of South Kurdistan as their own problems. This shows that the union of Kurdish people is possible, and the workshop is a first and important step for this union.

Komala İslam Political Bureau Member Rêbaz Sabır: Firstly, we thank the Kurdistan National Congress for organizing such a workshop. The participation of political parties in this important meeting is at a positive level. It is undoubtedly important for us to come together and discuss solution paths at a time of serious problems. This is an important step in changing the course of current problems. As Komala İslami, we believe that all party and personal interest must be left aside for the solution of our current problems. In fact, all parties have known about the roots of our problems but not been able to develop solution projects. The workshop was well attended, and I believe that it will yield strong results.

Democracy Front Spokesperson Mıhemmed Keyani: For me, the most important aspect of this workshop is that it brought politics and society together. It is difficult for politicians and parties to solve our current problems solely by themselbes. Political parties met many times but could not develop a solution. Kurdish National Council took an important step by organizing this workshop. The society should be able to pressure politics more, because civilians experience social and economical crises everyday. We must solve these crises in a way that benefits the society, not the parties.

Journalist Necmettin Salaz: A political, economical and social crisis has been unfolding in South Kurdistan. I think that politicans’ incompetency, as opposed to poverty or the lack of funds, are at the root of these crisis. Society is pressured and affected by this crisis, and the Kurdish National Congress-led workshop is a positive development. All small and big parties are here. Everyone will share her or his opinions with others. The press is here and the people are watching. Therefore, everyone must clearly state their solution proposals. Participants of the workshop will not make any decisions but can identify the problems and offer solution paths accurately. I would like to describe the approach of KDP and PUK representatives as superficial. The identification of the problems is not adequate for their solution.