While attending the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, at the invitation of Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani invited Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Erbil.

On the sidelines of COP31, President Nechirvan Barzani met with President al-Sharaa, and discussed Syria’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, along with opportunities to strengthen and expand cooperation in ways that serve mutual interests.

“They also discussed the situation of the Kurds in Syria. President Nechirvan Barzani highlighted the importance of safeguarding the rights of the Kurds and enshrining them in Syria’s constitution. He further expressed hope that President al-Sharaa would visit Baghdad and Erbil in the near future,” the readout of the Kurdistan Region Presidency said.

President Nechirvan Barzani met with Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and discussed regional security and military developments, along with cooperation between Türkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region to protect security and stability.

Both sides underscored the importance of ongoing security coordination and preserving peace in ways that support stability of both sides.

The Kurdistan Region’s leadership has strongly supported the ongoing peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state, which began on October 22, 2024.

President Nechirvan Barrzani also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to discuss Erbil-Baghdad and regional developments.

Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the region and resolving disputes and disagreements through peaceful means.