Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi and French President Emmanuel Macron had a meeting today in French capital Paris. The two leaders held a joint press statement after the meeting.

CALL TO THE KRG AND THE PESHMERGA

Abadi said they don’t want an armed conflict with the Kurdistan region and called on the peshmerga to work together with Iraqi security forces in the “disputed territories”.

Abadi demanded that peshmerga forces “return the ‘disputed territories’ they took from ISIS over to the Iraqi federal forces again” and said the following: “I am calling on the peshmerga to stay an inseparable part of the Iraqi forces under the authority of federal officials to guarantee the security of citizens and to rebuild these regions.”

Abadi said he respects the demands of his Kurdish citizens and added: “We must work together, and the authority of the federal government should expand towards all territories. I present my demand to the peshmerga to collaborate with the Iraqi Armed Forces, like in Mosul.”

MACRON: WE CAN ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY

Macron stated the concerns of France and other countries regarding the situation of Kurds after the referendum.

Macron said France supports stability and territorial integrity in Iraq and stressed “the importance of national consensus and an inclusive administration”.

Macron added that dialogue is the only way, and that France is ready to actively contribute as an intermediary.