Ziyad Raoof about the” upcoming end of Middle East as we know it” at the European Economic Congress in Katowice, Poland

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Katowice, Poland – on May 20, 2016 Ziyad Raoof, the KRG Representative in Poland took part in the panel discussion entitled „geopolitics” organized as part of European Economic Congres in Katowice, one of the most important economic and political event in Central Europe. This was a 8th edition of the Congress. In this year event 8,000 guests from Europe, Asia and Africa participated in the Congress. The three days were packed with debates on trailblazing ideas that will shape the economic future of Europe. 700 speakers took part in more than 120 discussions. Among many: Polish Prime Minister Beata Szyd?o, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Development Mateusz Morawiecki.
Ziyad Raoof during his speech first of all stressed that the situation in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis has an inherent impact on Europe. The Representative presented in the broader context the current situation in the region. He highlighted that the order established a hundred years ago by the Sykes-Picot agreement is falling apart. Consequently, Middle East needs a new structure of power and boundaries, and the KRG does not remain a passive actor at the time of historical change and announced an independence referendum.
In the second part of the panel, Ziyad Raoof and other participants of the discussion (Liana Jervalidze, prof. Alexander Tvalchrelidze, Olaf Osica and Konrad Zasztowt) talked about the Eurasian energy cooperation. In this context, the KRG Representative cited the data about energy resources in Kurdistan, and mentioned that Iraqi Kurdistan is already selling their energy resources, also to Europe.
Ziyad Raoof took part also in the opening ceremony on May 18, 2016 and had a chance for many unofficial talks with invited guests.