Conference “The Geopolitical Role of Iraqi Kurdistan and Syrian Refugees in the Region”

On December 10, Minister Falah Mustafa was the keynote speaker at the conference "The Geopolitical Role of Iraqi Kurdistan and Syrian Refugees in the Region," organized by SIOI, the Italian Society for International Organization and the Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Italy.
The conference was introduced by President Franco Frattini and featured remarks by Professor Alessandro Politi, a renowned political analyst and professor at SIOI, on the specifics of the Middle East, with a particular focus on Kurdistan and its geopolitical role in the near future.
In his speech, Frattini recalled the "genocide of the Kurds, one of the ugliest chapters in history," and emphasized how "the Kurds continue to be victims of terrorist attacks." The former Foreign Minister highlighted Kurdistan's significant role in the region, particularly in terms of aid to Syrian refugees, and the "key role" played by Erbil in the region's energy game. In this regard, Falah Mustafa recalled the agreement with Turkey on the pipeline that is expected to begin transporting oil from Iraqi Kurdistan to a Turkish port in December.
This agreement has sparked new tensions between the Baghdad government and the autonomous administration in Erbil, which has long been at odds over the modalities for sharing the Kurdish region's vast energy resources. "We are transparent, and everything we do is within the Iraqi Constitution and also benefits the Iraqi people," Falah Mustafa explained. "We have nothing to hide; the oil belongs to everyone, and the agreement with Ankara is transparent," he added. Furthermore, thanks to Erdogan's new leadership, relations between the two countries have transformed from confrontation to cooperation, making Turkey the Kurdistan Regional Government's primary trading partner and also achieving significant success in the peace process with the Kurdish component.
Minister Falah emphasized the Kurdistan Regional Government's desire to turn the page, opening a new chapter that, while not forgetting, overcomes the suffering of the past, rebuilds the region.
Regarding Syria, the Foreign Minister explained that he wants a "democratic" country and that its future "must be decided by the Syrians." Therefore, he added, "anyone interested or with influence in the region must participate in Geneva II, including Kurdistan." But, he insisted, "the main question right now is: what is the alternative to Assad?"
"We have oil and gas, we are a rich region," Falah Mustafa added today. "We want to be part of stability and economic growth, we want equality and justice." In this context, Minister Falah emphasized the regional government's efforts to resolve all outstanding issues with Baghdad. The 2014 elections will undoubtedly be an opportunity to build a promising future.
At the end of the conference, President Franco Frattini and Minister Falah Mustafa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate cooperation between the SIOI and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, aiming to develop international training activities and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Dr. Rezan Kader, High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government, concluded the conference by thanking President Frattini for his continued support and collaboration with the Kurdish cause, and the SIOI for hosting this important conference. Numerous officials, academics, diplomats, representatives of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, journalists, and numerous students in international relations and human rights attended the conference.