President Nechirvan Barzani pushes Kurdish rights, regional stability in high-level meetings at Munich
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, in a series of high-level meetings at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, pressed for the protection of Kurdish rights, while reinforcing security, military, and political cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and key international partners.
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Barzani met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the conference, where they discussed “the latest political and security developments in the region and the situation in Syria,” with both emphasizing “the protection of Kurdish rights in the future constitution of a united Syria.”
France has been a key supporter and mediator of a late January agreement between the Syrian interim government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava)
Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s “appreciation for the friendship and continued support of France and President Macron and their advocacy for the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan people.”
“Both also agreed on the importance of international coordination to protect the region's stability,” the statement added.
President Barzani also met German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, with discussions focusing on “relations and joint cooperation between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Germany in the military and security fields.”
He expressed “thanks and appreciation for the continuation of the duty of German military forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” as well as Germany’s role in training the Peshmerga and supporting reforms at the Ministry of Peshmerga. Regional developments and the situation in Syria were also discussed. According to Barzani’s office, Pistorius reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and stressed the importance of continued cooperation to counter terrorism.
Berlin has repeatedly said that it is providing reconstruction and humanitarian aid to Syria conditional on political stability, the protection of minority rights, and the voluntary return of refugees.
The European Parliament on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in support of a resolution calling for stability in northeastern Syria, protections for Syrian minorities - including Kurdish rights guarantees - and increasing international efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS).
The resolution reinforced conditions for future European Union aid for Syria following last month’s EU pledge providing the new Syrian government with 620 million euros ($722 million) in post-war recovery funding. The resolution also called for boosting humanitarian aid but stated that other funding “must remain strictly conditional on tangible and verifiable progress on civilian protection, respect for ceasefire arrangements, human rights and the protection of all components of Syrian society
The meetings come amid renewed diplomatic activity surrounding Syria. In January, the SDF and Damascus announced an internationally brokered agreement providing for a ceasefire and the integration of Rojava’s civil and military institutions under central authority. Kurdistan Region leaders, including Barzani, have played a mediating role in supporting negotiations.
On Friday, Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the SDF, in an interview with Rudaw, credited President Nechirvan Barzani with a “very positive role” in mediation and diplomacy.
Barzani also met German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan, discussing German projects in Iraq and the Region, particularly in reconstruction, human development, and reform support.
Barzani thanked Germany for assisting displaced people and supporting the Yazidi community, while stressing “the protection of the rights of components and the culture of coexistence in the Kurdistan Region.”
Further meetings included talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, where both sides emphasized the need to preserve regional stability and prevent the spread of crises through international coordination.
Barzani also met Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, discussing stronger security and military cooperation. Barzani thanked Italy for its role in training the Peshmerga within the international coalition, while Crosetto reaffirmed Rome’s continued support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and praised the Peshmerga’s role in defeating terrorism.