Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan to promote regional peace and stability.
“I was delighted to meet with President @RTErdogan in Ankara today. It was a timely opportunity to share views on regional issues, and the close and strategic ties between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and Turkey,” President Nechirvan Barzani posted on X.
“We also discussed ways to further deepen our cooperation and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.”
I was delighted to meet with President @RTErdogan in Ankara today. It was a timely opportunity to share views on regional issues, and the close and strategic ties between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) October 9, 2025
We also discussed ways to further deepen our cooperation and promote… pic.twitter.com/YC6CDbWK7L
Additionally, at the request of President Barzani, President Erdogan ordered the lifting of Turkey's blockade on Sulaymaniyah Airport, which had been in place since April 2023.
In a separate meeting with Minister Fidan, President Barzani discussed the “ongoing cooperation between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Turkey.
“We emphasized the importance of coordinated regional efforts to address issues of common interests and advance stability across the region,” President Barzani posted on X
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and I discussed ongoing cooperation between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and Türkiye.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) October 9, 2025
We emphasized the importance of coordinated regional efforts to address issues of common interests and advance stability across the region. pic.twitter.com/WCWQiKXmuA
According to the readout from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the meeting also addressed the water issue between Turkey and Iraq.
President Barzani highlighted the importance of coordination to ensure that water management fulfills the needs of both nations.
Turkey has promised to increase water releases from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to overcome the water scarcity crisis.
During the MERI Forum on Wednesday, President Barzani underlined that the Kurdistan Region has a “very amicable relationship” with Turkey.
“Our connection is distinct, both in economic and political terms. The Kurdistan Region is committed to preserving this relationship with Turkey. Regarding the ongoing process in Turkey, regardless of its designation, I believe that after my meeting with the Turkish president, it is clear that Turkey is genuinely serious about this initiative,” he said about peace and disarmament process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Turkey that began in October last year.
“Although the process may be gradual and at times seem sluggish, there is a strong resolve to see it through. However, our pause should not be excessively brief. There are certain actions that the other party must undertake, even if they carry risks. It is unrealistic to expect a resolution to a longstanding issue to occur overnight. At times, one must embrace certain risks. My message to our compatriots is to proceed, as it is preferable, even if the process is challenging.”
