Barzani, French ambassador discuss Peshmerga ties, elections during meeting in Erbil

ERBIL — Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani met Tuesday with French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel to discuss regional developments and ongoing cooperation between France and the Kurdistan Region, according to a statement from Barzani Headquarters.

Ambassador Durel expressed appreciation to Barzani for attending the recent inauguration of the “Peshmerga route” in Paris’ André Citroën Park, calling the gesture “a positive step toward deepening the relations between the people and government of France and the Kurdistan Region.”

The Paris ceremony, held in September, officially dedicated a pathway in honor of Kurdish Peshmerga forces, recognizing their role in the fight against ISIS alongside French and Iraqi troops.

“This opening reflects the French people’s respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and their prominent role in confronting and defeating ISIS and terrorist groups, as well as in protecting security and stability in the region,” Durel said. He reaffirmed France’s continued support for the Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Region more broadly.

The two also discussed Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for Nov. 11. Barzani acknowledged concerns about the electoral process, saying, “Despite many observations on the Iraqi election law, which suffers from numerous shortcomings, we will participate in the elections.”

Statement from Barzani Headquarters:

President Masoud Barzani received today, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Pirmam, Mr. Patrick Durel, the Ambassador of France to Iraq.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Mr. Yann Brém, the French Consul General in Erbil, the French ambassador expressed his gratitude to President Barzani for participating in the inauguration ceremony of the Peshmerga route in Paris, describing it as a positive step toward deepening the relations between the people and government of France and the Kurdistan Region.

He said that the opening of Peshmerga route in Paris reflects the French people’s respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and their prominent role in confronting and defeating ISIS and terrorist groups, as well as in protecting security and stability in the region. He also reaffirmed his country’s support for the Peshmerga forces and the Kurdistan Region.

For his part, President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the people and government of France, as well as to the Municipality and Mayor of Paris, for making the historic decision to open the Peshmerga route in the heart of the French capital, describing it as a symbol of the Peshmerga’s struggle and sacrifices for freedom.

Regarding the political process in Iraq and the upcoming elections for the Council of Representatives, President Barzani pointed out that despite many observations on the Iraqi election law, which he said suffers from numerous shortcomings, “we will participate in the elections.” He emphasized the importance of all political parties wishing to ensure transparent elections working to pass a new law that achieves justice and equality after the upcoming electoral process.

He explained that the current law in force is the 2010 law, “when they pledged to us to implement Article 140 of the Constitution, and that the law would apply only once, but this has not yet been achieved, and the law remains in effect, while previous promises in this regard have not been fulfilled.”

The meeting also covered regional political developments, including the situation in Syria and steps related to the peace process in Turkey.