President Barzani Discusses Regional Developments with EU Official

ARK News.. Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani received Rado Butum, head of the European Union Office for Relations in the Kurdistan Region, on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

During the farewell meeting, held as Butum concluded his tenure as head of the EU Office for Relations in the Kurdistan Region, Butum congratulated President Barzani on receiving the prestigious Papal Medal of Honor from Pope Leo XIV, praising Barzani’s historic role in protecting the rights of religious and ethnic communities and promoting a culture of coexistence and harmony among all communities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the Pope, stressing that the Kurdistan Region takes pride in its rich heritage of coexistence and solidarity among different religions and ethnic groups. He assured that this culture would remain protected and would be further strengthened and deepened.

Barzani also praised the EU official’s role and efforts during his tenure in the Kurdistan Region, wishing him success in his future endeavors.

The meeting also addressed the risks and opportunities facing Iraq and the wider region in the next phase, as well as the political process in the Kurdistan Region.

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