The Kurdistan Region witnessed a flurry of diplomatic activity on Tuesday, as both Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held several meetings with international envoys and military commanders.

France-Kurdistan Bilateral Relations

Early in the day, KRG Prime Minister Barzani received Patrick Durel, France’s Ambassador to Iraq, accompanied by Yann Braem, France’s Consul General in Erbil.

Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties, Erbil-Baghdad relations, Iraq’s political and security situation, and preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

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Prime Minister Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights must be upheld under the Iraqi Constitution, including the timely delivery of its share of the federal budget and financial entitlements. The two sides also exchanged views on consultations regarding the formation of the next KRG cabinet.

CENTCOM Meetings

Later in the day, Prime Minister Barzani welcomed Admiral Brad Cooper, the new Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), along with General Kevin Lambert, the newly appointed Commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq and Syria.

This meeting coincides with the United States moving forces from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad and Victoria bases to Erbil and Kuwait as part of the U.S.-Iraqi agreement signed in September 2024 to transition the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS to a long-term bilateral security partnership in September 2026.

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I’m pleased to receive Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Central Command today in ErbiI. I reiterated our gratitude to the U.S. for its support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in combating terrorism. We value our strong partnership with the U.S. and continue to work together to… pic.twitter.com/N36lq54yNb

— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) September 2, 2025

According to the KRG readout, the meeting underscored the importance of continued U.S. support for the peshmerga forces and reviewed the latest security developments in Iraq and the wider region.

Admiral Cooper highlighted the significance of the Kurdistan Region as a partner and ally of the United States in the region and underlined his country’s commitment to supporting the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region.

Both sides also discussed confronting the threats and dangers of ISIS terrorism, as well as the latest developments in the situation in Syria.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also held several meetings, including with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper and his delegation, which included senior U.S. officers and advisers.

Their talks focused on U.S. relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the enduring threat of ISIS, regional stability, and U.S. support for strengthening the Kurdistan Region’s military and security capabilities.

“I reiterated our gratitude to the U.S. for its support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in combating terrorism. We value our strong partnership with the U.S. and continue to work together to safeguard peace and stability in the region,” President Barzani posted on X.

Turkish-Kurdish Bilateral Relations

Kurdistan Region President Barzani also welcomed Ambassador Ali Riza Guney, Director General of Iraq and Iran Affairs at Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry, accompanied by a senior delegation and Turkiye’s Consul General in Erbil Erman Topcu.

According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency readout, both sides addressed Turkiye’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, internal developments in both, the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and the forthcoming Iraqi elections.

Both sides commended the current state of bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

They also discussed the security situation in the region, the latest developments in Syria and the Middle East and their implications, as well as several other matters of mutual interest.

In parallel, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received Ambassador Guney and Consul General Topcu, reaffirming the importance of strengthening bilateral ties based on shared interests.

According to the KRG readout, they also addressed the need to resolve outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, ensuring the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and financial entitlements. 

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The meeting with Turkish officials comes amid an ongoing peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state, with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan declaring the end of the armed struggle of the PKK in July. The peace process is backed by the Kurdish leadership in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Received Ambassador Ali Riza Güney, DG of Iraq and Iran Desk at @MFATurkiye, with @TC_ErbilBK Consul General Erman Topcu. We reviewed regional developments and matters of mutual interest, reaffirming strengthening our bilateral ties and continued cooperation. pic.twitter.com/nWFvaaO7co

— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) September 2, 2025

During the meeting, they also exchanged views on developments in Syria, protecting the rights of the Kurdish people and other communities in the country, and the peace process in Turkiye.

Last week, Zafer Sirakaya, the Deputy Chairman of Turkiye’s Justice and Development Party also visited the Kurdistan Region, and met with President Nechirvan Barzani, in part to discuss the peace process in Turkiye.

UN Envoy Meetings

Prime Minister Barzani also met with Mohammed al-Hassan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

According to the KRG readout, during the meeting, they discussed recent developments in the Kurdistan Region, and the situation in Iraq and the wider region.

They also highlighted the importance of safeguarding the constitutional rights and financial entitlements of the people of Kurdistan, and upholding the federal status of the Kurdistan Region.

The same day, President Nechirvan Barzani also met UNAMI Head al-Hassan. According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency’s readout, the meeting focused on the political process and the overall situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including relations between Erbil and Baghdad, as well as ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding issues.

“Both sides emphasized the importance of addressing the issues between Erbil and Baghdad through dialogue and mutual understanding, agreeing that resolving these matters is essential for maintaining peace and stability in Iraq, which in turn fosters progress,” the Presidency said.

Since 2014, Baghdad has repeatedly cut the Kurdistan Region’s budget and salaries, deepening its economic woes. In July, the KRG and Baghdad struck a deal for the KRG to deliver 230,000 barrels of oil daily and 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenues. This week, Baghdad transferred the money for the Kurdistan Region’s June salaries.