Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday met with Turkish officials in Ankara during an official visit to discuss recent developments in Syria and Iraq.
According to a KRG readout, during this visit, Prime Minister Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, and several other senior Turkish officials.
President @RTErdogan received Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (IKRG) at the Presidential Complex. pic.twitter.com/TikqKxsizy
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) January 7, 2025
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations, the latest developments in Iraq and the region, and the changes in Syria.
During the meeting between Prime Minister Barzani and President Erdogan, emphasis was placed on the importance of resolving the issues between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government of Iraq based on the constitution and removing obstacles to the export of Kurdistan’s oil.
“I am pleased to meet with President Erdogan in Ankara today. We discussed ways to promote dialogue and a common understanding to navigate through the developments in the Middle East, including in Syria,” Prime Minister Barzani posted on X.
I am pleased to meet with President @RTErdogan in Ankara today. We discussed ways to promote dialogue and a common understanding to navigate through the developments in the Middle East, including in Syria -mb. pic.twitter.com/dUvs0r4iyO
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) January 7, 2025
Regarding Syria, both sides agreed on the need to maintain peace and security, and to protect the rights of all components of the country.
On March 25, 2023, Kurdish crude exports through Turkiye were stopped after an international arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, halting 450,000 barrels per day of crude oil exports to international markets.
The Iraqi parliament is still deliberating an amendment that includes providing cost projections for crude oil extraction, following an initial agreement between the KRG and oil companies.
During the meeting with Minister Fidan, the KRG said discussions were held regarding the development of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkiye, as well as the latest updates on the general situation in Iraq and the region.
Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan met with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the KRG of Iraq, in Ankara. pic.twitter.com/gfuezktJGu
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) January 7, 2025
The KRG and Turkiye have strong economic and bilateral relations.
President Erdogan traveled to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in April 2024 — his first visit in 13 years — where he was welcomed by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Barzani.
Additionally, on June 20, 2023, Prime Minister Barzani met with President Erdogan in Ankara. On October 16, 2024, President Nechirvan Barzani also met with President Erdogan in Ankara.
