President Barzani, UAE President discuss cooperation, regional developments

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where they discussed enhancing cooperation as well as regional developments.

President Barzani said in a statement on X, “It was a pleasure to meet my friend, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates.”

“We discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between the UAE, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, as well as unfolding regional developments,” he added.

Later in the day a statement from the Kurdistan Region’s Presidency noted that President Barzani and the Emirati President discussed means to develop relations between the UAE, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as “expanding cooperation,” especially in areas of mutual interest.”

The two leaders also explored “the opportunities for the UAE’s private sector and investment in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” and “exchanged views on the areas and sectors” that Abu Dhabi can invest in.

President Barzani and the Emirati President also addressed “regional developments,” including the situation in Syria, and “their impact on the Middle East.” They emphasized “the need for peace, stability, and self-restraint to prevent further escalation” in the region.

The Kurdistan Region and the UAE maintain strong economic relations, with Kurdish officials frequently visiting the country, particularly during special events.

In May of last year, President Barzani met the Emirati president during a trip to the UAE, which also focused on expanding bilateral ties between Erbil and Abu Dhabi, and regional developments.

Earlier this year, in February, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani signed a technology deal with the UAE during a visit to Dubai.

Following the deal, UAE Consul Ahmed al-Dhaheri told Rudaw that the agreement will be followed by “many more economic and investment agreements in the near future, particularly in the electricity sector and the use of solar energy.”

Dhaheri added that the investment volume between Erbil and Abu Dhabi exceeded $2 billion.

The UAE is among the top three economic partners of the Kurdistan Region, behind Turkey and Iran. Emirati investors are also increasingly making their mark on the Kurdistan Region’s economy.