PM Barzani meets Egyptian president to discuss ties, trade

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and boosting trade.

According to a statement from Barzani’s office, Sisi welcomed Barzani and expressed Egypt’s willingness to boost relations, particularly in investment and trade.

Barzani arrived in Cairo on Saturday evening and was received by Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hanno before holding high-level meetings with top Egyptian officials.

“The meeting stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region and Egypt in various fields, especially investment and trade exchanges,” the statement read.

During his visit, Barzani met with other senior officials to discuss developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the broader region. Hassan Rashad, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Services, and Kurdistan Regional Government Interior Minister Reber Ahmed also attended the meetings, according to the Egyptian presidency.

“The two sides agreed to promote coordination and cooperation to maintain security and stability in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region,” Barzani’s office said.

Egypt’s presidential spokesperson, Mohamed El-Shenawy, said Sisi emphasized “Egypt's keenness to deepen economic cooperation in all its forms between the two sides” and called on the KRG to “benefit from” the capabilities of Egyptian companies in energy and infrastructure.