We welcome the announcement by Prime Minister Haider al‑Abadi that Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports will reopen for international flights. This is an important first step towards reducing tensions in the crisis between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government of Iraq. It is good news that direct talks between the two sides – talks which the Federal Government, too, worked hard to bring about – have managed to break the ice.

It’s now vital to keep up the momentum and to achieve real solutions to other open issues, as well. Baghdad and Erbil have had major successes in the fight against ISIS. This spirit of unity must be maintained, also as they move forward. Only then can the great challenges that lie ahead be successfully tackled.