President Barzani engages regional, global leaders at Turkey forum

Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held a series of high-level meetings with regional and international leaders at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey, focusing on sustaining the US-Iran ceasefire, preventing further escalation, and strengthening regional coordination following weeks of conflict that directly impacted the Kurdistan Region.

On Saturday, President Nechirvan Barzani met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We had a substantive discussion on strengthening cooperation between Türkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, and exchanged views on evolving dynamics across the region,” Barzani said in a post on X, adding that “we reiterated our shared commitment to advancing regional stability, prosperity, and collective security.”

The meeting comes amid a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted nearly 40 days of war, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran.

Barzani said he also expressed gratitude to Erdogan “for his leadership and continued efforts toward de-escalation and regional stability.”

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, during the meeting, “emphasis was placed on expanding the horizons of joint cooperation in various fields and both sides stressed that dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and protect common interests.”

The Kurdistan Region has repeatedly reaffirmed that it will not side with any party in the US-Israel war against Iran and will not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries. Despite these assurances, the Region has come under numerous attacks by Iran and allied Iraqi armed groups, who say they are targeting US-linked positions in retaliation.

Despite the ceasefire, which took effect last week, the Kurdistan Region has continued to face drone and missile attacks, primarily targeting camps and bases housing Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and their families, leaving five people dead.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held from Friday through Sunday under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.” According to the forum’s readout, this year’s edition focused on “the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues in order to shape a better future.”

The forum brings together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media professionals, and civil society representatives from around 150 countries “to explore how best to manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges,” featuring more than 40 panels covering political, economic, environmental, and technological issues, with a particular focus on rising uncertainty and shifts in the global system.

During the forum, Barzani held multiple meetings addressing the fallout of the recent conflict and broader regional dynamics.

On Saturday, he met Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler, where discussions “focused on recent developments in the region and their implications,” according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency. Both sides emphasized “the necessity of upholding the ceasefire" between the US and Iran and "fostering peace, and ensuring stability in the Middle East.”

Guler praised the Kurdistan Region for what he described as its balanced approach to regional tensions, commending "the Kurdistan Region for distancing itself from regional conflicts, calling for broad coordination to preserve peace and stability.” He also “lauded the efforts of the Kurdistan Region’s President in this regard.”

Barzani also met Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, with talks focusing on “the latest developments in the political and security situation in Iraq and the region and the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with Arab countries,” according to a presidency statement.

“The impact and consequences of the war on the countries of the region were another topic of the meeting,” the statement added, with both sides stressing “the importance of maintaining stability and working together to prevent the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.”

On Friday, Barzani met Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria and Washington’s ambassador to Turkey, discussing “the relationship of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with the United States,” as well as the implications of the Iran-Israel-US war on regional security, “stressing the need for collaboration and sustained efforts to build lasting peace and uphold stability across the region.”

The two sides also discussed developments in Syria and “the situation of the Kurds within the country.”

The discussions come against the backdrop of a landmark agreement signed on January 29 between the Syrian interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), brokered with mediation from Kurdish leaders in the Kurdistan Region and the United States through Barrack.

The deal followed a sharp escalation in northern Syria in mid-January, when Damascus forces and affiliated groups seized territory previously held by Kurdish-led forces in eastern Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasaka province.

In a separate meeting, Barzani met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, where he commended the Syrian leader “for his continued efforts to stabilize Syria and for the progress made in implementing the agreement with the SDF,” Barzani said in a post on X. The two also discussed strengthening ties between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Syria “to advance shared security and economic objectives.”

The January 29 agreement outlines a ceasefire and integration framework under which the SDF is to be incorporated into Syrian state military and administrative structures. It also provides for the integration of civil institutions in Rojava into the national system, recognition of Kurdish linguistic and cultural rights, integration of SDF personnel and civil servants into state institutions, and expanded political representation for Kurdish areas, including roles in local governance.

Barzani also met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, where discussions focused on “relations between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” with “both sides stressing the need to strengthen ties and enhance joint cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” according to a statement.

The two sides also addressed the nearly 40-day war on Iran, emphasizing “the importance of maintaining the [ongoing] ceasefire” and continuing dialogue among the parties “to prevent further escalation, achieve peace, and preserve stability and security across the Middle East.”