Erdogan receives KRG PM Barzani in Istanbul
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday received Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at the presidential palace in Istanbul. They discussed the latest developments in the region, the Iran war, and Ankara’s peace process with Kurdish rebels at home, according to the Turkish presidency.
Erdogan told Barzani that his country was “saddened” that Erbil was targeted during Iran’s war with the US and Israel earlier this year, emphasizing that Ankara “does not want the conflict to spread to other countries in the region under any circumstances, and that solidarity with the KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government] would continue throughout this process,” according to a statement from Erdogan’s office.
The visit coincides with heightened tensions in and around the Persian Gulf, where the United States and Iran have been engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures as their fragile ceasefire since April 8 - which ended a nearly six-week-long war - comes under increasing strain.
Both the Kurdistan Region and Turkey remained neutral during the war, refusing to allow their territories to be used to pose a threat to either side in the conflict. Nevertheless, from the start of the war through April 20, the Kurdistan Region endured more than 800 attacks from Iran and Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, according to data disclosed by the KRG.
“Discussions will focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations, as well as developments and the situation in Iraq and the wider region,” read a statement from the Kurdish government ahead of the meeting.
Erdogan also said that Ankara “remains determined to strengthen cooperation” between Erbil and Baghdad, adding that they will continue taking steps to bolster ties with both governments, Erdogan’s office said.
The Kurdistan Region accounts for the majority of Turkish investments in Iraq. More than half of the foreign companies operating in the Kurdistan Region are Turkish.
Barzani and Erdogan also touched on the ongoing peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which a year ago announced its willingness to dissolve itself and lay down arms following a call from its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan.
The PKK, which has recently rebranded itself as the Apoist Movement, claimed last week that Turkey is not committed to taking steps to accelerate the process, but Erdogan has repeatedly stressed that the process is moving forward without issue.
Erdogan told Barzani that Ankara is “determined to successfully advance” the peace process - which Turkish officials have named Terror-Free Turkey - emphasizing that they seek peace and stability both in Türkiye and in neighboring countries.
"On the peace process and the disarmament of the PKK, I reiterated my support for the process, and we stressed the importance of continuing the efforts to ensure its success and completion," said PM Barzani in a post on X.
The Kurdish prime minister also held meetings with Turkish foreign, defence and energy ministers.
He and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan "emphasized the importance of implementing the Development Road project and connecting the Gulf countries, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region with Türkiye and Europe through a railway network," PM Barzani said on X.
Regarding his meeting with the Defense Minister Yasar Guler, PM Barzani said he stressed "he importance of safeguarding the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the broader region, and underscored the need to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East."
KRG prime minister later met with the Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, discussing the development of bilateral ties in the fields of energy and natural resources, said the KRG in a statement.
Updated at 7:02 pm