President Nechirvan Barzani holds high-level talks in Munich on regional stability
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday met with US, European, and regional officials in Munich, holding talks focused on security cooperation, developments in Syria, and the Kurdistan Region’s role as a key factor of stability in the Middle East.
At the Munich Security Conference, President Nechirvan Barzani met with a US congressional delegation that included Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. “During the meeting, US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the development of joint cooperation between them, were discussed,” the presidency said.
Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s “gratitude and appreciation for the continued support of the United States and Congress for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” the statement added.
The US delegation emphasized “the importance of the Kurdistan Region's role as a factor of stability in the region,” and expressed support for Iraq, preserving the Kurdistan Region’s status, resolving issues between Erbil and Baghdad, and maintaining peace and stability in the country, according to the statement.
Discussions also covered developments in Syria, with both sides stressing “the importance of protecting the rights of Kurds and all communities in both the current situation and the future constitution of a unified Syria.”
In January. Graham recently introduced a bill aimed at protecting the Kurds following January clashes in northeast Syria (Rojava) between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus-affiliated forces, which displaced about 170,000 people, according to UN figures.
Barzani has played a mediating role in supporting the late-January internationally brokered agreement between Syria’s interim government and the SDF that established a ceasefire and outlined the integration of Rojava’s civil and military institutions under Damascus.
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, senior Rojava official Ilham Ahmed, and Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also met with a US congressional delegation on the sidelines of the conference.
In an interview with Rudaw on Friday, Abdi credited Barzani with a “very positive role” in mediation and diplomacy.
Barzani also met with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The two discussed EU relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, regional developments, and cooperation in areas related to stability and economic development, the presidency said.
They also discussed the situation in Syria, terrorism threats, broader regional developments, and obstacles to peace in the Middle East.
In January, as Damascus-affiliated forces advanced on Kurdish-held areas in Rojava, von der Leyen met with Syria’s interim leadership in Damascus and announced €620 million in EU funding through 2027 for humanitarian aid and rebuilding Syrian state institutions.
However, European Union lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution condemning violence against civilians in Rojava and conditioning future funding for Damascus on “tangible and verifiable progress” on civilian protection, respect for ceasefires, human rights, and the protection of all components of Syrian society.
During her meeting with President Barzani, Von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s support for “peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region,” praising Barzani’s role and describing the Region as an important factor of stability.
Barzani also met with Nils Schmid, Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, and reiterated the Region’s appreciation for Germany’s continued support. Schmid said Germany would continue to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in preserving peace and stability.
Barzani further met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. The two discussed political and security developments in Iraq and the region, as well as the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Arab countries.
Both sides emphasized the importance of preserving stability and avoiding tensions, with Aboul Gheit praising Barzani and the Kurdistan Region for their role in maintaining balance and strengthening coexistence, and reiterating the Arab League’s support for peace and stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
At the Munich Security Conference, President Nechirvan Barzani met with a US congressional delegation that included Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. “During the meeting, US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the development of joint cooperation between them, were discussed,” the presidency said.
Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s “gratitude and appreciation for the continued support of the United States and Congress for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” the statement added.
The US delegation emphasized “the importance of the Kurdistan Region's role as a factor of stability in the region,” and expressed support for Iraq, preserving the Kurdistan Region’s status, resolving issues between Erbil and Baghdad, and maintaining peace and stability in the country, according to the statement.
Discussions also covered developments in Syria, with both sides stressing “the importance of protecting the rights of Kurds and all communities in both the current situation and the future constitution of a unified Syria.”
In January. Graham recently introduced a bill aimed at protecting the Kurds following January clashes in northeast Syria (Rojava) between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus-affiliated forces, which displaced about 170,000 people, according to UN figures.
Barzani has played a mediating role in supporting the late-January internationally brokered agreement between Syria’s interim government and the SDF that established a ceasefire and outlined the integration of Rojava’s civil and military institutions under Damascus.
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, senior Rojava official Ilham Ahmed, and Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also met with a US congressional delegation on the sidelines of the conference.
In an interview with Rudaw on Friday, Abdi credited Barzani with a “very positive role” in mediation and diplomacy.
Barzani also met with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The two discussed EU relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, regional developments, and cooperation in areas related to stability and economic development, the presidency said.
They also discussed the situation in Syria, terrorism threats, broader regional developments, and obstacles to peace in the Middle East.
In January, as Damascus-affiliated forces advanced on Kurdish-held areas in Rojava, von der Leyen met with Syria’s interim leadership in Damascus and announced €620 million in EU funding through 2027 for humanitarian aid and rebuilding Syrian state institutions.
However, European Union lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution condemning violence against civilians in Rojava and conditioning future funding for Damascus on “tangible and verifiable progress” on civilian protection, respect for ceasefires, human rights, and the protection of all components of Syrian society.
During her meeting with President Barzani, Von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s support for “peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region,” praising Barzani’s role and describing the Region as an important factor of stability.
Barzani also met with Nils Schmid, Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, and reiterated the Region’s appreciation for Germany’s continued support. Schmid said Germany would continue to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in preserving peace and stability.
Barzani further met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. The two discussed political and security developments in Iraq and the region, as well as the Kurdistan Region’s relations with Arab countries.
Both sides emphasized the importance of preserving stability and avoiding tensions, with Aboul Gheit praising Barzani and the Kurdistan Region for their role in maintaining balance and strengthening coexistence, and reiterating the Arab League’s support for peace and stability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.