Barzani, Erdogan discuss boosting economic cooperation between Kurdistan Region and Turkey

NEWSROOM — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday in Ankara, focusing on strengthening economic cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the discussions centered around expanding trade, investment, and business collaboration.

Both leaders emphasized Turkey’s significant role in promoting economic development in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with attention on advancing bilateral trade and key infrastructure projects. President Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, expressing interest in enhancing Turkish investments across multiple sectors.

In addition to economic matters, the leaders addressed broader regional stability, stressing the importance of peaceful solutions to ongoing Middle East tensions while continuing their cooperation on economic growth initiatives.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency’s full statement:

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, President Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Region met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the economic sector. They discussed ways to elevate the level of trade exchange, business opportunities, and Turkish investments in various parts of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s continued cooperation and support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in all sectors, expressing Turkey’s readiness to engage in further business and investment ventures in different fields and sectors.

In another aspect of the meeting, both leaders expressed their concerns over the instability in the Middle East and the risks and consequences it poses to the region. They agreed that all parties must work together to prevent further escalation and seek peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts.

Discussions also covered Erbil-Baghdad relations, the highway project, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s relations with neighboring countries, terrorism threats, and efforts to counter ISIS.