Middle East
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) on April 18, 2026. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), discussing efforts to advance regional stability and strengthen cooperation between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and Turkey.
“We had a substantive discussion on strengthening cooperation between Türkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, and exchanged views on evolving dynamics across the region,” Barzani said in a post on X, adding that “we reiterated our shared commitment to advancing regional stability, prosperity, and collective security.”
The meeting comes amid a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted nearly 40 days of war, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran.
Barzani said he also expressed gratitude to Erdogan “for his leadership and continued efforts toward de-escalation and regional stability.”
The Kurdistan Region has repeatedly reaffirmed that it will not side with any party in the US-Israel war against Iran and will not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries. Despite these assurances, the Region has come under numerous attacks by Iran and allied Iraqi armed groups, who say they are targeting US-linked positions in retaliation.
Despite the ceasefire, which took effect last week, the Kurdistan Region has continued to face drone and missile attacks, primarily targeting camps and bases housing Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and their families, leaving five people dead.
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, during the meeting with President Erdogan, “emphasis was placed on expanding the horizons of joint cooperation in various fields and both sides stressed that dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and protect common interests.”
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the forurm, held from Friday through Sunday, under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.” According to the forum’s readout, this year’s edition focused on “the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues in order to shape a better future.”
The forum brings together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media professionals, and civil society representatives from around 150 countries “to explore how best to manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges,” featuring more than 40 panels on political, economic, environmental, and technological issues, with a particular focus on rising uncertainty and shifts in the global system.
Updated at 6:06 pm.
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