The Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) revealed the political, security, and economic dimensions of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s successful visit to Turkey. In an exclusive statement to *The Kurdish Globe*, Safeen Dizayee stated that the meetings marked a significant turning point in bilateral relations, highlighting the strategic importance of the summit between Prime Minister Barzani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
Dizayee noted that the visit took place at an extremely sensitive and complex time, as the region undergoes a period of political transition. He emphasized that the warm and official reception by the Turkish President reflects the depth of relations and mutual trust. The high-level meetings transcended purely political discourse; the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Energy testifies to the comprehensive nature of the discussions, covering all strategic dimensions between Erbil and Ankara—a fundamental shift in the history of the Region’s diplomatic relations.
In another part of his statement to *The Kurdish Globe*, Dizayee highlighted the critical security issues discussed with the Turkish side, particularly regional stability and the attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region. He explicitly stated: “The Kurdistan Region has always been a factor for stability and has never sought to be part of regional conflicts or proxy wars. Unfortunately, however, the Region’s territory has been targeted without any legal or security justification.” Statistics indicate that over 850 missiles and drones have been directed at various areas of the Region, resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of economic infrastructure.
Dizayee emphasized that the allegations directed at the Region to justify these attacks are entirely baseless and aimed solely at weakening the Kurdistan Region’s political entity. Therefore, during the Ankara meetings, it was stressed that Turkey and the international community must play their role in protecting the sovereignty of the Region’s territory and preventing the recurrence of such aggressions.
Another vital axis of the talks pertained to Iraq’s internal situation, energy, and the economy. The Head of DFR disclosed that Prime Minister Barzani discussed the deadlocked process of forming a new Iraqi government with senior Turkish officials, emphasizing the necessity of protecting the constitutional rights of the Kurdish people. Furthermore, the development of energy exports, specifically oil and gas, was a paramount topic, as the Kurdistan Region can serve as a vital energy source for global markets through Turkey. Strengthening trade exchange and facilitating Turkish companies’ investment in the Region were integral parts of the visit’s agenda. Dizayee reaffirmed that the economic stability of both the Region and Turkey is interconnected, and both sides agreed on preventing any attempts to destabilize the regional economic and political situation, as such instability serves no one’s interest.
Regarding other diplomatic activities, Dizayee informed *The Kurdish Globe* that, under the direct guidance of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, a high-level regional delegation conducted a series of field visits to key European capitals, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In France, high-level meetings were held at the Élysée Palace with advisors to President Emmanuel Macron, and discussions took place in the French Senate with the France-Iraq Friendship Group. The primary objective was to garner international support for the Kurdistan Region against the political and military pressures it faces. Dizayee stated, “France has always been a close friend of the Kurds; they reaffirmed their support for a strong and stable Region, particularly in security and resolving issues with Baghdad.”
Continuing the European tour, the delegation met with senior European Union and NATO officials in Belgium. Dizayee noted that in Brussels, they held significant meetings with the European Commission and the European Parliament, discussing human rights, democracy, and migration. In the Netherlands, they met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister for Migration Affairs to find suitable mechanisms for mutual cooperation. In London, the delegation was received by the British Foreign and Defense Ministries and met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the UK Parliament. A highlight of the London visit was the delegation’s participation in a political roundtable at “Chatham House,” where, in the presence of experts and diplomats, they provided a clear picture of the Kurdistan Region’s situation and its disputes with the federal government regarding the budget, oil, and gas. Dizayee said, “We delivered our message that the Region is ready for serious dialogue based on the constitution.”
Concluding his statement, Safeen Dizayee emphasized that the Kurdistan Region currently possesses strong international support, comparable to the levels seen in 1991. Global powers and allies highly value the sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces in the war against ISIS and the Region’s humanitarian role in sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and refugees. European officials expressed deep concern over the missile attacks on Erbil and pledged to use their diplomatic channels with Baghdad and neighboring countries to ensure the Region remains a “Safe Haven.”
Dizayee also mentioned that they provided full explanations to their allies regarding the reasons for the delay in forming the Regional Government, with all parties agreeing that the Kurdistan Region must remain internally united to face external challenges. These visits demonstrated that the Region’s diplomacy is at its highest level, successfully keeping our people’s legitimate cause alive in the world’s leading decision-making centers.
