Peregraf — Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, according to a KRG statement, as part of what both sides described as efforts to strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.
According to the KRG, the meeting focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and discussing the latest developments in Iraq and the wider region.
Meetings With Turkish Officials
During his visit, Barzani also met with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler. He is also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The discussions are expected to cover regional security, political developments, and cooperation between Erbil and Ankara.
Regional Context
The meetings come amid heightened regional tensions, including the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, which has engulfed the region since February, as well as ongoing political developments in Iraq, including negotiations over the formation of a new federal government.
Turkey and the Kurdistan Region maintain close economic, security, and energy ties, particularly regarding trade routes, oil exports, and regional security coordination.