ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday discussed regional developments and the implications of the ongoing war during a phone call, stressing the need to maintain stability and pursue peaceful solutions to the conflict.
“Their discussions focused on recent developments in the region and the implications of the ongoing war,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. “Both sides expressed their commitment to continued collaboration in tackling challenges and emphasized the necessity of upholding stability and seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts.”
According to the statement, President Nechirvan Barzani expressed gratitude to the European Union “for its unwavering support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region” and emphasized that the Kurdistan Region “is not part of the conflict and will consistently serve as a pillar of peace and stability.”
The Kurdistan Region has endured around 300 drone and missile attacks since the start of Iran’s war with the US-Israel coalition on February 28, many of which were carried out by pro-Iran armed groups operating inside Iraq. Despite this, Kurdish leaders have repeatedly stressed over the past two weeks that the Kurdistan Region and its security forces are not a party to the Iran-Israel-US war.
Von der Leyen said in a post on X regarding her call with President Nechirvan Barzani that the Region’s “role as a stabilising force is more critical than ever.”
“The EU is determined to work alongside you to ensure safety and protect the hard-earned progress in rebuilding. We will continue supporting the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” she said.
Iran said last week it launched more than 2,000 drones and over 600 missiles targeting US and Israeli positions in the region. Iraqi armed groups aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’ have also been carrying out attacks against alleged US assets in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Earlier this month, President Nechirvan Barzani held a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, reaffirming that the Region will not allow its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring states, while urging Baghdad to take responsibility and rein in outlaw armed groups.