Nechirvan Barzani: Kurdistan Region a Pillar of Stability and Security in the Middle East

ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, affirmed that the Kurdistan Region represents a fundamental pillar of stability and security in the Middle East, stressing that political solutions and dialogue remain the only path to resolving outstanding crises in Syria and securing a peaceful future in Turkey.

On the sidelines of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Barzani reiterated during a press conference on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Region’s support for dialogue between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government. He emphasized that “enshrining the rights of the Kurds and all components in the Syrian constitution is the only guarantee for achieving sustainable security.”

Barzani called on Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan to seriously engage in the political process, noting that the “Hasaka Governorate model” could present an opportunity to demonstrate the success of joint local administrations within the framework of a unified Syria.

Regarding political developments in Turkey, he described recent initiatives as “a very serious process,” praising the efforts of Turkish leaders and the recent messages of peace. He affirmed that the Kurdistan Region strongly supports this path, expressing confidence that ending conflicts through political solutions would transform the region economically and in terms of security.

On domestic affairs, Barzani reassured the Kurdish public about relations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), describing his meetings with PUK leader Bafel Talabani as positive and productive. He noted that efforts are ongoing to unify the Kurdish position to strengthen the Region’s standing in Baghdad and safeguard the rights of its citizens.

Concluding his remarks, Barzani revealed that there is genuine international will — particularly from France, Germany, and the United States — to see a strong and stable Kurdistan Region within federal Iraq. He added that world leaders recognize that “the security of Erbil is an integral part of the security of the international system.”

242