On Tuesday, President Masoud Barzani received France’s Consul General Yann Braem, during which he underlined that France remains committed to the stability of the region and to Kurdish unity.

This comes amid officials from both the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan announcing their readiness to resume negotiations to break the long-standing political stalemate and form the 10th Cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has still not been formed since the October 2024 parliamentary elections.

“Mr. President, I am very honored by this meeting,” Consul General Braem posted on X. “This is an opportune moment to discuss the regional security situation as well as the political situation in Iraq and the region.”

According to a readout of the Barzani headquarters, during the meeting, Consul General Braem expressed his pleasure at meeting President Barzani and underscored the importance of the longstanding historical relations between the Kurdistan Region and France. He also thanked President Barzani for his prominent role in supporting, strengthening, and preserving these bilateral ties.

For his part, President Barzani welcomed the French Consul and noted that France has played a significant role throughout the history of the Kurdish people’s struggle for liberation. He described France’s support during various historical stages as important and emphasized the pride with which the Kurdish people view this relationship.

The meeting also addressed the general political and security situation in the region, as well as the political process in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Last week, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with France’s Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani underscored the necessity of reactivating the Kurdistan Region Parliament, addressing issues in a responsible manner, and ending the current political deadlock in order to revitalize the democratic process in the Kurdistan Region.

Both sides highlighted the importance of supporting the federal government in confronting the country’s security, economic, and financial challenges.