President Nechirvan Barzani met today with Turkey’s President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The meeting focused on the ways to strengthen Turkey’s bilateral relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, expanding areas of joint partnership and developing trade and commerce.

The current situation in Iraq and the challenges facing the political process in the country were also highlighted. Both sides agreed on the importance of a mutual understanding among Iraqi factions, overcoming the political gridlock and forming the next Iraqi federal government that represents all communities in the country.

On the subject of Erbil-Baghdad disagreements, President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s readiness to fully resolve the pending issues through dialogue on the basis of the constitution.

Discussions also covered the latest developments in the wider region, the war on terror and the security challenges. Both sides agreed on the importance of collective and international efforts to preserve peace and stability.