ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s institutions are an example for the region with Paris-Erbil relations growing “stronger,” especially during the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), France’s top diplomat said in a presser with President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday.
“France remains convinced that the vigor of democratic institutions, of which Kurdistan of Iraq offers an example in the region, is a strength,” said Jean-Noel Barrot. “For over 30 years, we have developed strong and fraternal ties based on common struggles and an attachment to freedom.”
During the presser, President Barzani praised the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s “historic” friendship with France.
“We emphasize our commitment to developing relations and expanding joint cooperation in all fields, especially in strengthening stability and security, economic and cultural cooperation, and other areas,” Barzani said.
He further thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his support, “especially during difficult times.”
Barrot arrived in Erbil on Wednesday for talks with top Kurdish officials after concluding a visit to Baghdad as part of a regional tour to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He is also set to visit Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Shortly after arriving, he met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, discussing bilateral relations, regional developments, the formation of the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and ongoing talks to resume Kurdish oil exports, according to a KRG statement.
Barrot also met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, discussing Erbil-Baghdad ties, Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, the situation of Kurds in Syria, and efforts for a peace process between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Barzani’s office said in a statement.
France and the Kurdistan Region enjoy long-standing ties, dating back to France’s support for the post-Gulf War no-fly zone that enabled the Region’s current autonomy. France was also among the first countries to open a consulate in Erbil after the fall of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 and strongly supported Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.
“Neither France nor the Kurdistan Region, both cruelly tested in their flesh by Islamist terrorism, can risk undermining the gains of ten years of combat,” Barrot stated.
Earlier in April, President Barzani met with Macron in Paris, where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties and regional developments, including in Iraq and Syria.
Kurdish unity in Syria
France has been an active member in the US-led coalition against ISIS and has recently joined the Americans in their efforts to unite Syrian Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava) through facilitating intra-Kurdish talks that have been stalled for years.
During the joint presser, the French foreign minister hailed the Kurdish unity in Syria.
Barrot said he has “close coordination” with President Barzani “to support the efforts of General Mazloum [Abdi, chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces] and all all Syrian Kurdish political forces to unite and positively influence the ongoing transition in Syria to ensure that pluralism, rights, and interests of Kurds and all Syrian communities are guaranteed.”
He also praised the SDF for its ongoing fight against ISIS, adding that he plans to discuss these things with Abdi without disclosing details.
Sources told Rudaw on the condition of anonymity that the French minister met with Abdi and Elham Ahmed, co-chair of Rojava's foreign relations office, in Erbil.
SDF-aligned media confirmed the meeting later on Wednesday, reporting that the French minister and both Rojava officials discussed the stability in Rojava and the promotion of dialogue there as well as France's role in the political settlement.
Kurdish ruling and opposition parties in northeast Syria (Rojava) will hold the highly anticipated intra-Kurdish conference on Saturday.
“We are pleased to announce to our people that the conference ‘Unity of Kurdish Position in Rojava’ will be held on April 26. Kurdish unity is a national necessity for resolving the Kurdish people's cause in Syria,” Abdi said on Tuesday.
Representatives from the main opposition umbrella groups, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC), and the ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) as well as other Kurdish groups will take part in the conference.
Rojava’s political landscape shifted significantly following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December, prompting rival Kurdish coalitions in Rojava to accelerate unity talks. In January, the KDP leader Masoud Barzani hosted a landmark meeting in Erbil with Abdi Abdi to advance the dialogue.
The PYD has since engaged in negotiations with the ENKS. Talks have been facilitated by members of the US-led global coalition against ISIS, particularly the United States and France.
