ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held a series of high-level meetings with regional and international leaders at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey, focusing on sustaining the US-Iran ceasefire, preventing further escalation, and strengthening regional coordination following weeks of conflict that directly impacted the Kurdistan Region.
On Saturday, President Nechirvan Barzani met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We had a substantive discussion on strengthening cooperation between Türkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, and exchanged views on evolving dynamics across the region,” Barzani said in a post on X, adding that “we reiterated our shared commitment to advancing regional stability, prosperity, and collective security.”
The meeting comes amid a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran that halted nearly 40 days of war, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran.
Barzani said he also expressed gratitude to Erdogan “for his leadership and continued efforts toward de-escalation and regional stability.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani meets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. pic.twitter.com/pnHqXnC0an
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According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, during the meeting, “emphasis was placed on expanding the horizons of joint cooperation in various fields and both sides stressed that dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and protect common interests.”
The Kurdistan Region has repeatedly reaffirmed that it will not side with any party in the US-Israel war against Iran and will not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries. Despite these assurances, the Region has come under numerous attacks by Iran and allied Iraqi armed groups, who say they are targeting US-linked positions in retaliation.
Despite the ceasefire, which took effect last week, the Kurdistan Region has continued to face drone and missile attacks, primarily targeting camps and bases housing Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and their families, leaving five people dead.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held from Friday through Sunday under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.” According to the forum’s readout, this year’s edition focused on “the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues in order to shape a better future.”
The forum brings together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media professionals, and civil society representatives from around 150 countries “to explore how best to manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges,” featuring more than 40 panels covering political, economic, environmental, and technological issues, with a particular focus on rising uncertainty and shifts in the global system.
During the forum, Barzani held multiple meetings addressing the fallout of the recent conflict and broader regional dynamics.
On Saturday, he met Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler, where discussions “focused on recent developments in the region and their implications,” according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency. Both sides emphasized “the necessity of upholding the ceasefire" between the US and Iran and "fostering peace, and ensuring stability in the Middle East.”
Guler praised the Kurdistan Region for what he described as its balanced approach to regional tensions, commending "the Kurdistan Region for distancing itself from regional conflicts, calling for broad coordination to preserve peace and stability.” He also “lauded the efforts of the Kurdistan Region’s President in this regard.”
Barzani also met Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, with talks focusing on “the latest developments in the political and security situation in Iraq and the region and the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with Arab countries,” according to a presidency statement.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday met with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. pic.twitter.com/SeJSyZqKXg