News

President Nechirvan Barzani receives Ambassador of Russia

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 1, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met with the Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Elbrus Kutrashev and his accompanying delegation in Erbil today. The meeting discussed the political and economic developments in Iraq, Erbil-Baghdad relations and the ongoing negotiations to resolve their differences.

The two sides also exchanged views on Russia’s bilateral relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the latest visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Baghdad. Discussions also highlighted the developments in the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, and the situation in the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-ambassador-of-russia/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Major General McFarlane

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 2, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Major General Matthew McFarlane, the Commander of the international coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, in Erbil toady.

The meeting, attended by Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa and senior officials of the Ministry of Peshmerga, discussed the progress of the reform at the Ministry of Peshmarga and reorganization of the Peshmarga forces. The latest developments in the fight against terrorism and coordination between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army were highlighted.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his gratitude for the support of the United States and its allies to the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army, underlining that despite the obstacles and problems, the Ministry of Peshmerga is committed to the reform process, organization and unification of the Peshmerga. He also thanked the United States and other friendly countries for their assistance and support in the process.

Both sides agreed that ISIS remains a real threat to peace and stability in Iraq and Syria, reaffirming the importance of continued support of the international coalition in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and cooperation and coordination of the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army to fight terrorism and to eliminate ISIS.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria and the latest developments in the wider region.

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 2, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres to the Kurdistan Region at Erbil’s International Airport on Thursday.

The meeting, attended by the Vice Presidents of the Kurdistan Region, covered a number of pressing issues including the latest political developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the ongoing efforts to resolve their existing differences; the agenda of the Iraqi Federal Government and the status of Sinjar district were also highlighted.

President Nechirvan Barzani presented an overview of the agreement among the political parties on the formation of the Iraqi Federal Government and its agenda. The President affirmed that the current atmosphere between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve the issues is positive with the expectations that the Iraqi Prime Minister is determined to enforce the government’s agenda. The President also praised the role of the United Nations in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

For his part, the UN Secretary-General commended the progress of the talks between Erbil and Baghdad and reaffirmed the UN’s support for the efforts to resolve the pending issues between them.

Discussions also focused on the general elections in the Kurdistan Region. In this regard, President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that, as the President of the Kurdistan Region, he will set the date of the upcoming elections to be held during the current year.

The President and the Secretary-General reaffirmed the importance of implementing the agreement between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the status of Sinjar, and to encourage and facilitate the return of the Yazidi refugees to their reconstructed homes.

Regarding the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, Secretary-General Guterres stressed that the solution of the internal problems and the unity of the political parties will strengthen the Kurdistan Region’s position in Iraq and beyond.

Discussions also included other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-un-secretary-general-antonio-guterres/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with UK Secretary of State Lord Ahmad

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 1, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Lord Tarq Ahmad, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Lord Ahmed stressed his country’s keenness to develop relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed that the UK attaches great importance to the relations between Erbil and Baghdad. Lord Ahmed viewed stability and good relations between Erbil and Baghdad as a source of strength for Iraq to face its challenges. He expressed his country’s support for the resolution of the differences between the two sides.

In the meeting, which was attended by the UK Ambassador to Iraq and the UK Consul General in Erbil, the two sides discussed the political and economic situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. In this regard, President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region is making continuous efforts to resolve the issues with Baghdad, as well as to maintain unity in the Kurdistan Region.

Both sides agreed that peace and stability and the resolution of the country’s problems will promote the progress and return of Iraq to its rightful position in the region and the world, and will create more job opportunities, investments and foreign capital.

The Kurdistan Region elections, the Iraqi Oil and Gas Law, the budget, the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring countries, the situation in the wider region, the consequences of the war in Ukraine and other issues of common interest were highlighted.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-uk-secretary-of-state-lord-ahmad/

President Nechirvan Barzani officially invited to the UAE

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, February 26, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim Saeed Al Zahri, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates to the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting discussed the political and economic situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the relations between Erbil and Baghdad. The UAE Consul General also conveyed an official invitation from the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Nechirvan Barzani to visit the United Arab Emirates.

In his invitation, President Al Nahyan offers his greetings to President Nechirvan Barzani and expresses his country’s keenness to further develop relations with the Kurdistan Region and to expand joint cooperation between the two sides in all areas. The letter also reads that President Al Nahyan looks forward to meeting with President Nechirvan Barzani in the UAE to exchange views on mutual interests between the two countries.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani offered his greetings and well wishes to President Al Nahyan and accepted the invitation. The President spoke about the importance of the United Arab Emirates relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and looked forward to visiting the UAE.

Discussions also covered the budget, oil and gas law between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government, the status of Shingal and the latest developments in the wider region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-officially-invited-to-the-uae/

President Nechirvan Barzani concludes productive participation at 59th session of the Munich Security Conference

MUNICH, Germany, February 19, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani concluded his participation in the three-day Munich Security Conference today. The conference was held from 17 to 19 of February.

During the three days of the conference, President Nechirvan Barzani met with a number of leaders, ministers of foreign affairs, and high officials, including: The President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Ministers of Poland, Armenia, Iraq, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the US, the UK, Italy, the Vatican, Norway, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the President of the European Commission, the Deputy President and Chief of Foreign Affairs and Security System of the European Union, two delegations from the US Congress, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for the International Security Affairs, the Secretary of State at the German Ministry of Economic Coordination and Development, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs and a German Parliamentary Delegation, a delegation of the German parliamentary party of SPD, and many other officials who were present at the conference.

The discussions in President Nechirvan Barzani’s meetings covered the political, security, and economic situation of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the negotiations to solve the issues, the bilateral relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with the neighboring countries and developing cooperation and coordination, the situation in the Middle East and the wider region, and the importance of maintaining peace and stability while solving the differences, the issues of energy and security, the confrontation of terrorism, and other topics of mutual interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-concludes-productive-participation-at-59th-session-of-the-munich-security-conference/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with US delegation

MUNICH, Germany, February 17, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met separately with the US Senator, Mr. Chris Van Hollen and a US Congressional delegation led by Mr. Mike Turner, the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference today in Germany.

The meetings focused on the bilateral relations of the US with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and ways to further strengthen ties. The US delegation reaffirmed the United States’ continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against terrorism and the challenges that currently face Iraq.

Discussions also covered the reform process within the Peshmarga Ministry and the unification of the Peshmerga forces. In this regard, President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated Kurdistan Region’s commitment to continuing and completing the process with the US assistance. The President also expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the US support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The developments in the wider region and other topics of mutual interest were also highlighted during the two meetings.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-us-delegation-2/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Prime Minister of Armenia

MUNICH, Germany, February 17, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met with Armenian Prime Minister, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan Friday evening, on the sidelines of the Munich Security conference in Germany.

Discussions focused on Armenia’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all fields, emphasizing the need to expand trade exchanges between the two countries and highlighting job and investment opportunities.

The two sides also highlighted the situation of the Kurdish Diaspora in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora in the Kurdistan Region. The ancient relations between the two sides, as well as the challenges facing Kurdistan, Armenia and the wider region were also discussed.

Regarding the security situation and stability of the region, the President of the Kurdistan Region and the Prime Minister of Armenia stressed the importance of making efforts and working comprehensively to resolve all issues peacefully through dialogue and negotiations.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-prime-minister-of-armenia/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Foreign Minister of Qatar

MUNICH, Germany, February 17, 2023

Continuing his meetings in Germany on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, President Nechirvan Barzani met with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

The meeting focused on Qatar’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and their joint cooperation to further expand their bilateral relations.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani reiterated Qatar’s willingness to expand job and investment opportunities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and expressed hope that greater opportunities for Qatari private sectors emerge in the Kurdistan Region. The President offered the support of all relevant institutions in the Kurdistan Region for Qatari business and investment ventures.

Both sides agreed on the importance of working to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and reaffirmed the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully. In this context, they also discussed the constructive standing and role of both sides in the wider region.

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with US Assistant Secretary of State

MUNICH, Germany, February 17, 2023

Continuing his meetings on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference in Germany today, President Nechirvan Barzani met with Ms. Celeste Wallander, the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for international security affairs.

During the meeting, the security situation in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the wider region were discussed and the latest developments in the war against terrorism was highlighted.

Ms. Wallander reaffirmed the continued US support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Strategic Dialogue, especially in the fight to eliminate the ISIS terror networks.

The President reiterated the appreciation of the Kurdistan Region for the US support in the fight against terrorism and valued the continued US support for the reform process withing the Peshmarga Ministry including the unification of the Peshmarga forces.

The latest developments in the wider region, collective efforts to ensure regional security and stability and other topics of mutual interest were also discussed.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-us-assistant-secretary-of-state-2/