Kurdish, Emirati presidents stress cooperation amid regional tensions, discuss expanding ties
“I’m delighted to meet my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi,” President Barzani remarked in a post on X, noting that they “discussed the state of relations between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the UAE, and exchanged views on the impact of regional developments.”
He added that both sides “emphasized the importance of reinforcing cooperation to promote stability and security across the region.”
The Kurdistan Region Presidency also relayed in a statement that the meeting “focused on strengthening ties” between Abu Dhabi, Erbil, and Baghdad, highlighting “the significance of promoting cooperation across various sectors to advance the interests and development of both sides.”
The two leaders “exchanged views on recent regional developments and their implications for security and stability at both regional and international levels, stressing that sustained cooperation and closer coordination are essential to preserving peace and addressing emerging threats,” the statement added.
President Barzani arrived in the UAE on an official visit on Wednesday, with bilateral relations and fast-moving regional developments topping his agenda.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions following a large-scale aerial campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, during which more than 17,000 sites were reportedly targeted over six weeks of hostilities.
In response, Tehran carried out thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.
The warring sides later agreed to a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8, halting fighting to allow space for talks. While the first round of discussions concluded without a final agreement on April 11, a second round has yet to take place, as a comprehensive resolution remains pending.
In parallel with the talks, Iran and the US have engaged in reciprocal maritime restrictions. In the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has tightened controls on shipping, while Washington has since April 13 enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The UAE is considered one of the Kurdistan Region’s top three economic partners, alongside Turkey and Iran, with Emirati investment increasingly present across multiple sectors in the Region.