Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich security conference on February 14, 2026. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday at the Munich security conference, where the two leaders discussed “prospects for mutual cooperation” and stabilization in Syria.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Region president’s office said the talks focused on “US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the prospects for mutual cooperation.” Barzani “reiterated his thanks and appreciation for US support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”
For his part, Rubio “emphasized his country’s commitment to supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and to maintaining peace and stability in the area,” the statement said.
“He praised the status of the Kurdistan Region as a key partner and a factor for stability,” the president’s office added.
Syria was another major topic of discussion. The statement said Barzani and Rubio reviewed conditions in the country, Kurdish rights and regional developments.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of Kurds and all communities within a united Syria,” Barzani’s office stated.
While the international community widely supports a unified Syria, Damascus is facing mounting pressure to create an inclusive government, clamp down on violence against minorities, and implement a decree guaranteeing Kurdish rights.
The US and Kurdish leaders, including President Barzani and President Masoud Barzani, played central roles in the Syrian government and Kurdish officials reaching a ceasefire and power-sharing agreement that ended weeks of fighting.
Barzani is meeting with heads of state and senior officials at the Munich conference, where regional security, diplomacy, and international cooperation are high on the agenda.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Region president’s office said the talks focused on “US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the prospects for mutual cooperation.” Barzani “reiterated his thanks and appreciation for US support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”
For his part, Rubio “emphasized his country’s commitment to supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and to maintaining peace and stability in the area,” the statement said.
“He praised the status of the Kurdistan Region as a key partner and a factor for stability,” the president’s office added.
Syria was another major topic of discussion. The statement said Barzani and Rubio reviewed conditions in the country, Kurdish rights and regional developments.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of Kurds and all communities within a united Syria,” Barzani’s office stated.
While the international community widely supports a unified Syria, Damascus is facing mounting pressure to create an inclusive government, clamp down on violence against minorities, and implement a decree guaranteeing Kurdish rights.
The US and Kurdish leaders, including President Barzani and President Masoud Barzani, played central roles in the Syrian government and Kurdish officials reaching a ceasefire and power-sharing agreement that ended weeks of fighting.
Barzani is meeting with heads of state and senior officials at the Munich conference, where regional security, diplomacy, and international cooperation are high on the agenda.
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