President Barzani: A Real Opportunity Exists to Resolve Syria’s Problems

ARK News.. Speaking at the opening session of MEPS 2025 at the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok, President Masoud Barzani called for amending Iraq’s electoral law, describing the current system as unfair.

President Barzani said: “Unfortunately, the Sykes–Picot Agreement did not bring stability to the region. We continue to suffer from its consequences to this day. We must therefore reflect seriously on the flaws within that agreement — because once we understand the defect, we will know how to fix it.”
He added that policies of dominance and imposed authority have failed in Iraq and across the Middle East, stressing that “everyone was harmed, and future generations deserve to live in stability.”

President Barzani noted that the Iraqi state established after World War I was built on the principle of partnership. Following the 14 July 1958 Revolution, a document was drafted affirming that Kurds and Arabs are partners in this homeland. This strengthened Iraq and ushered in a period of stability, he said, but the opportunity was never fully utilized. He recalled the March 11 Agreement between the Kurdish leadership and the Iraqi government, which also went unimplemented over time.

Throughout his remarks, President Barzani emphasized that the Kurdish revolutionary leadership had never rejected opportunities for peace. Whether in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1970, or 1991, he said, the Kurdish side always extended its hand whenever a peaceful solution was possible. “As Kurds, we have proven that we are advocates of peace. We do not forget what we endured, but we do not seek revenge, because we know that the brotherhood between Kurds, Arabs, and all other components is greater than any violations committed by successive governments.”

Barzani stressed the distinction between political disputes with governments and the deep, enduring ties among peoples, saying: “Problems with the government are one thing; the bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and shared destiny between nations are something entirely different.”

Following the fall of the regime in 2003, he said, Iraq was presented with a golden opportunity. Based on three core principles — consensus, balance, and partnership — the 2005 Iraqi Constitution was drafted. Compared with the constitutions of neighboring countries, Barzani argued, Iraq’s constitution remains far more progressive.

“We hope that these recent elections will put us back on the right path toward resolving all our outstanding issues,” he said.

President Barzani also expressed support for the peace process in Turkey, hoping it leads to meaningful solutions.

Turning to Syria, he remarked: “There is now a real opportunity to resolve its problems.

We hope these issues will finally be addressed.”

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