Known for its hospitality and atmosphere of peaceful coexistence, Erbil embraces anyone, be it a refugee seeking a safe place to live or a diplomat representing a foreign country. This unique culture of the Kurds was also lauded by Erman Topcu, Turkiye’s Consul General in Erbil, during an interview with Kurdistan Chronicle. 

During the conversation, Topcu recalled the days when he was assigned to help open Turkiye’s Consulate General in Erbil in 2010, noting that Erbil has transformed since then into a modern and vibrant city. 

Kurdistan Chronicle (KC): How do you evaluate the current relations between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq?

Consul General Erman Topçu (ET): This may be the right moment to answer this question because only two weeks ago we had a very high-level visit to Turkiye by his Excellency Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. I looked at previous periods and discovered a pattern of very high-level visits; for instance, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister was in Turkiye in June 2023, and then President Erdoğan came to Erbil in April 2024. After that we had Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Ankara, and the heads of two political parties, the Kurdistan Islamic Union and the New Generation. 

As you see, there is engagement on a very high level, and it is not only limited to those visits and meetings. There is constant communication at the highest level. It is very unique and significant. So, when you have this kind of relationship, a strong human bond, and high-level interaction, the future is clear and open and there is room for enhancing relationships and strengthening cooperation – especially at times as turbulent as these.

KC: Are there any specific statistics that explain the economic relations between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Region? 

ET: Analyzing trade numbers between the Kurdistan Region and Turkiye is slightly problematic, as the Kurdistan Region is a part of a federal country – that is, Iraq. But Iraq is Turkiye’s fourth largest trade partner. Our trade volume is around $20 billion. It is less than what it should be due to the current stalemate on oil exports, but it is still around $20 billion, and there is a common will to grow that to $30 billion. We can roughly estimate that 30% of this trade volume is with the Kurdistan Region. However, our economic relations are not confined to trade; there is also investment, which is significant. I have recently seen a statement by the KRG Board of Investment introducing Turkiye as the largest investor in the Kurdistan Region, with a figure around $2 billion, which I think should be more because Turkish companies have been present in the Kurdistan Region for a long time now. They have been contributing and are still contributing, and they will continue to contribute to the development of this region. Their presence and activities here have helped strengthen our political relations as well. 

Fourteen years ago, when I was serving as a junior diplomat in Baghdad and traveling to Erbil periodically, I remember, we were obliged to travel to Ankawa to do some basic shopping. Back then, between Ankawa and our office there was literary nothing. And that was only 14 years ago. Now the landscape, the façade of Erbil has changed, and Turkish companies are one of the major actors in making this growth happen. 

KC: Are there any plans to open new border crossings between the Kurdistan Region and Turkiye to further enhance trade? 

ET: The Ibrahim Khalil border crossing is one of the busiest in the world. It is the lifeline of this region and connects Iraq to Europe and beyond. Of course, opening new border crossings or expanding the existing ones for other purposes has always been on the agenda, but that needs to be coordinated with Baghdad. 

The border crossings have been one of the main items of the current discussions on the Development Road Project, which is a visionary project that we support. We believe everyone should benefit from it. On our side, we are always in constant pursuit of making commercial and civilian traffic at our border crossings more efficient. In the border areas, when it comes to any sort of activities, the main problem has always been the presence of the PKK terrorist organization. They have been a headache for the villagers engaging in agricultural and economic activities. They simply endanger the civilian population. But as the result of our joint efforts with the KRG, their presence has largely been erased from the border areas. This was possible in part due to our technical capacities, our strong political will, and of course our cooperation with the KRG. 

KC: Regarding Turkish investments in the Kurdistan Region, are there any specific industries or economic sectors that Turkiye prioritizes?

ET: Our investment is basically in all parts of the Kurdistan Region’s economy, including energy, construction, and health. Turkish investors are present in every field and are very committed. When I started my tenure in Erbil, I prioritized engagement with the Turkish business community here, focusing on their problems and how I could be helpful to both the Turkish businesses and the government. I was immensely proud to see that we have this vibrant, dynamic and efficient business presence here in the KRI and providing critical services to the local population. Turkish businesses and investments are actually the driving force behind the developments in the Kurdistan Region. 

Therefore, I’d say that there is no prioritization. In whatever sector it is needed, there is a Turkish company or entrepreneur present. I also have to appreciate the KRG because they are always open to Turkish companies undertaking grand investment projects. Turkish companies are present whenever there are groundbreaking investment projects, and Turkish investors are trying to live up to that expectation. 

In the meantime, issues remain, some of which need to be tackled by the KRG, but others stem from the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, which must be addressed and we are ready to facilitate that as well. I believe 2025 might be the year when we can achieve developments on both fronts. 

KC: There has been a recent initiative in Turkiye to resume the peace process in the country. What role do you think the Kurdistan Region can play to help the success of future dialogues?

ET: That is a political process in Turkiye, and it might not be appropriate for me to comment on that. 

KC: Considering recent developments in Syria, how do you think Turkiye and the Kurdistan Region can support stability in Syria? 

ET: We are now in a new regional reality, in which one thing is clear: the culture of dominance by hegemonic powers is over. This new period is marked by the necessity of cooperation and regional ownership. In that regard, Turkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region are the areas most affected by any development in Syria. We face similar challenges. I believe Iraq’s role as a whole, not only the Kurdistan Region, will be much more important than ever after the developments in Syria. We should focus our efforts on maintaining political stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. Also the PKK and DEASH should be prevented from exploiting the developments on the ground. 

KC: As the top diplomat representing Turkiye in the Kurdistan Region, what is your message to your host community? 

ET: You’ll regret asking this question because I cannot confine myself to a short answer. I am the chief of a diplomatic mission for the first time in my diplomatic career, and Erbil is such an important city from various angles. This is true not only for foreign policy, but also in cultural and political fields as well. It is an immensely important post, and I am immensely honored that I was picked up for the job. 

Speaking personally, Erbil has a special place in my heart because, when I was a young diplomat in Baghdad, I had the privilege and responsibility of helping our first Consul General open this consulate for the first time. I even had to put bricks and paint walls inside the office when there was a shortage of workers. 

In that period, I was a frequent visitor to Erbil – not only for the Consulate business but also accompanying my Ambassador. Here is a personal story that maybe I’m sharing for the first time publicly. In one of those visits with my Ambassador, I was introduced to Kak Masoud, who, after learning that I was a newcomer to diplomacy, told me “inshallah you will one day come to Erbil as Consul General!”. Now, I am here as the fifth Consul General of Turkiye, and this is the 15th year of our embassy. We are thinking about an event to commemorate our 15 years in Erbil. 

There is another side of the story, which is rather personal. I got married with my wife Esin in August 2009 and right after our honeymoon, started my duty in Baghdad. Next year, on the eve of our first wedding anniversary, we were talking with each other how to plan it and I suggested to my wife, ‘why don’t you come to Erbil?’ She happily accepted and stayed here for three days, and it was a delightful experience. Now, after 14 years, we are here in Erbil as a family. We feel really embraced by the city and the people. We feel the affection. 

In fact, any Turkish citizen and diplomat serving in Erbil quickly recognizes and feels the huge cultural and personal affection that the people show us.

In both our personal and professional life in Erbil, however, that is a sort of challenge – we have to live up to that affection and that expectation when it comes to fostering people-to-people and official relations. That’s why I believe – as a diplomat – that there is one side of the story that we need to invest more in: the cultural side. 

We have perfect relations on the political level. As I said, there is constant contact at the highest level. Whenever a politician from the KRI travels to Turkiye, there is a high-level reception. The economic side of the story, as I said, is also a success. There have been ups and downs, but things have always been trending upward. The security cooperation is excellent and will grow even stronger. 

What is lagging is the cultural side. People have this interaction, but at the state level, on the Turkish side, we need to be more involved and active, which will be the priority in 2025. 

There are two sides of the story. On the one hand, there is a very talented, active, and vibrant expat community from Türkiye here who are present in every walks of life, but need to be unified under one platform because most of them don’t know each other. 

On the other hand, from the local population’s side -be it Kurdish, Turkmen or any other part of the society there is this expectation to show that Turkiye is present from a cultural perspective in Erbil. That’s why we are going to establish a platform this year for Turkish citizens living in Erbil, where individuals involved in all sectors will be invited. This platform will be an important venue for cultural activities. 

I believe 2025 will be a very dynamic year. If the regional context, security, and political situation allow it, then we will have many concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural activities, which will show people here the Turkiye that they love and respect. Other than that, we are very happy that this cultural exchange is ongoing. We have a great number of visitors from the Kurdistan Region in Turkiye as tourists. 

In this regard, I want to underline that if you look at Türkiye’s geographical position, we are at the center of many crises, wars and conflicts that shape global geopolitical context. In between all the turmoil at the regional level, Turkiye is keeping its doors open. And I believe that this is something unique that only Turkiye can do. As in the past, our borders are always open. We are even further facilitating the movement of people; for example, recently we abolished visas for people above 50 and under 15, which has further encouraged people to visit Turkiye. 

As this exchange and human interaction continues, we, from the side of the consulate, must build on that through our activities here in Erbil. While following the political, economic, and security files, we will focus more on the cultural side of relations. 

That was a long answer but given sincerely. And I would like to heartily thank Kurdistan Chronicle for giving me this opportunity.  

Sardar Sattar is a translator and journalist based in the Kurdistan Region. He has translated several books and political literature into Kurdish and English. He writes regularly for local and international newspapers and journals.