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In the name of God, most Great and most Merciful.
Dear beloved brothers and sisters, respected organizers..
A warm welcome to you all.
This is your home; this is your country.
(applause)
Today - in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region - should be remembered for this proud gathering.
We hope this gathering will be a successful one and that the goals and objectives of this conference will be met.
The purpose of this Conference for the Western (Syrian) Kurdish Expatriates is...
...to research and highlight the current outstanding problems.
And to agree on the necessary action and readiness [of your coalition] for any possible outcome [in Syria].
As witnessed, there have been enormous changes [in the Middle East] from the past to present
The changes continue and it is our belief that no force and no regime can prevent these changes from occuring.
It is imperative that the Kurdish people prepare themselves for future outcomes.
For [the Kurdistan Regional Government], the situation in Syria is a very important one.
It is not only important because Syria is a neighboring country and we share a long border...
[It is important] because there are more than 2 million Kurds living in Syria.
The outcome of changes that occur or that are implemented [in Syria] is important to us because it involves the situation of our brothers, the Kurds of Syria.
It is important [to us] that Kurds are not deprived of any of their rights in a future Syria.
It is my hope that you are well-prepared for any changes that come
And the changes that are made in Syria will also be beneficial to and hold consideration for the situation of [the Kurdish people].
However, the changes are not my government's to make nor is it the decision of any other foreign entity.
It is the job of the people of Syria - the Arabs, Kurds, and all other nations in Syria.
This is important to us but we also intend to observe the changes closely
We do not want to interfere in your affairs in any way.
We only wish to assist you with the opportunity to gather here in this land, your own country, where freedom is assured...
...to formulate your own policies and decisions.
We will support the policies that [your coaltition] formulates...
This is on the condition that your policies are free from violence.
Your coalition should [instead] uphold the principles of peace and democracy, and uphold a principle of dialogue.
We do not know what the final outcome of Syria will be.
We hope there will be changes soon.
However, your coalition must prepare in advance for any changes that do come.
We intend to fully support the consensus you reach.
This is a very critical moment, a very sensitive time.
Therefore, you must distance yourselves from partisanship.
Until the situation in Syria is certain, the Kurdish people must be united.
(applause)
You must work together under the umbrella of Kurdish aspirations and be mindful and respect the opinions of one another's parties.
We can only support you on condition that you remain united.
As Kurdish brothers, until this critical time in Syria passes, that you distance yourselves from partisanship and avoid internal conflict.
And that you prepare yourselves for a bright future.
(applause)
We believe in this manner that, Godwilling, there will be positive outcomes for you all.
Finally, we hope, Godwilling, that next year all Kurdistanis can gather for another conference in this same place.
(applause)
The purpose will be to create a united discourse among all Kurdistanis.
We are a peace-loving nation with a great history
But we will not abandon our struggle.
It is a struggle for peace, a struggle for democracy, a struggle for dialogue.
The era in which the existence of Kurds is denied is no more.
The era of armed struggled is over as well.
Today, we live in an era in which [we seek] peace, democracy, and coexistence.
Today is a new page in history for the [relationship] between nations.
The intention of this conference is to extend the hand of brotherhood and peace; to extend that hand to our Arab, Turkish, and Persian brothers.
And to let the world know that we are a nation seeking peace and not one of weapons and war.
And we we will continue our struggle in this manner to demand our rights.
I do not wish to take more of your time here today.
I would only like to once again warmly welcome you all.
This is your home and you are among your own people here.
I wish you success in all your efforts. God bless you all and God bless Kurdistan.