Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 24, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

At the meeting, attended by the Vice Presidents of the Kurdistan Region, the two sides discussed Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, areas of mutual cooperation, Erbil-Baghdad relations and differences, and the ongoing negotiations between them. They also discussed the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey, as the two sides share common economic and trade interests. The President expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to expand Erbil-Ankara relations in all fields. He also thanked Turkey for its support to the Kurdistan Region in all areas, especially during the difficult periods, stating that the Kurdistan Region remembers Turkey’s support and assistance.

For his part, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that Turkey attaches special importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Fidan praised the peace and stability of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region and expressed his country’s readiness to expand relations and cooperation between the two sides in all sectors. He also thanked President Nechirvan Bazrani for his role in promoting relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Turkey.

The two sides also exchanged views on the issue of exporting oil from the Kurdistan Region through the Turkish Ceyhan Port.