Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani concluded a significant visit to Turkey on Thursday, meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. The visit, which comes at a critical juncture for regional politics, addressed bilateral cooperation, economic ties, and the ongoing peace process aimed at resolving Turkey’s decades-long conflict with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Economic Cooperation and Oil Exports Take Center Stage
A primary focus of the discussions was enhancing economic and trade relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. Both leaders emphasized the importance of resuming oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through Turkey’s Ceyhan Port, which had been halted for more than two years before partial resumption in late September. Both leaders agreed that restarting these exports would serve Iraq’s economic interests while contributing to regional peace and stability.
The talks also covered broader cooperation across various sectors, including energy and trade. Barzani expressed gratitude for Turkey’s ongoing support, describing Turkey as a vital neighbor with significant potential for mutual benefit. President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Diplomatic Breakthrough on Air Travel
One of the most tangible outcomes of the visit was Turkey’s decision to lift its flight ban on Sulaymaniyah International Airport, which had been in place since April 2023. Following Nechirvan Barzani’s direct request, President Erdoğan agreed to resume Turkish Airlines flights to Sulaymaniyah and reopen Turkish airspace for flights from the city. The Kurdistan Region Presidency praised the decision as evidence of the robust relationship between the two sides, noting it would particularly benefit citizens in Sulaymaniyah.
The visit also addressed critical water management issues between Turkey and Iraq, with President of the Kurdistan Region stressing the need for coordination to ensure both countries’ needs are met.
Regional Politics and Peace Process
The timing of Barzani’s visit carries special significance, occurring ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11. Experts suggest Turkey values Barzani’s input on Iraq’s political future, given his dual role as Kurdistan Region President and Vice President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of Iraq’s largest political parties capable of influencing government formation.
The meetings also touched on the ongoing peace initiative, aimed at ending the conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK announced its dissolution in May and symbolically burned weapons in July in the Kurdistan Region’s Sulaymaniyah province. Barzani had previously urged the PKK to “take the risk” and pursue peace, while also calling on the group to withdraw from northern Syria.
The discussions further covered broader Middle Eastern developments, including the situation in Syria and efforts to maintain regional peace and stability, underscoring the multifaceted nature of Turkey-Kurdistan Region relations.
The Kurdish Globe