President Nechirvan Barzani Holds Key Meetings with Former CIA Director David Petraeus and Governor of Şırnak Birol Ekici
President Nechirvan Barzani held two significant meetings in Erbil, underscoring the Kurdistan Region’s pivotal diplomatic and economic role in fostering regional stability and cooperation.
In the first meeting, President Barzani received former CIA Director David Petraeus, a long-time friend of the people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The two discussed the overall situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, along with recent developments across the region. Both sides emphasized the strong and enduring partnership between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, recognizing them as allies with shared strategic interests capable of cooperating across multiple sectors.
They highlighted the importance of preserving peace and stability, underlining Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s essential role in aligning regional interests through collaboration in the energy and economic sectors. The discussions also covered broader regional issues, including the peace process in Türkiye, the situation in Syria, and ongoing threats from terrorism and ISIS.
In a separate meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani received Birol Ekici, the Governor of Şırnak, Türkiye, accompanied by a delegation that included the Mayor of Şırnak, the President of the Şırnak Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the Cizre Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was also attended by the Governor of Erbil and the Consul General of Türkiye in the Kurdistan Region.
Talks focused on Türkiye’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with both sides exploring ways to expand trade, economic, academic, and cultural cooperation. They expressed a shared commitment to deepening ties in commerce, transportation, and tourism, particularly between Şırnak and Erbil and other governorates in the Kurdistan Region.
The discussions also touched upon the impact of the peace process in Türkiye on regional development, noting the importance of Şırnak Airport, which serves many tourists from the Kurdistan Region due to its close proximity to the border.
Both meetings reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s constructive role as a bridge for regional peace, dialogue, and economic partnership.
