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Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres (left) meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2024. Photo: office of President Barzani
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday stressed the importance of peace and security in Iraq and the Region for the wider Middle East.
In a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the UN chief and Barzani discussed topics ranging from internal matters to the war in Gaza.
Both leaders agreed that “Iraq’s security and sovereignty must be protected and Iraq must not be allowed to be dragged into the regional conflicts,” according to a statement from President Barzani’s office.
Iran-backed groups have over the years struck US bases and diplomatic missions in Iraq and Syria. The attacks had simmered down in recent years, but have been reignited since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza on October 7.
Since October 17, US bases in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have been the target of numerous drone attacks by the groups.
It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with my friend, Secretary-General @antonioguterres. We emphasized the vital role of the @UN in restoring international peace and security.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) February 16, 2024
I expressed gratitude to the Secretary-General for the continued support the U.N. has provided to Iraq… pic.twitter.com/KtGBa5qNLK
Guterres also touched upon the importance of conducting the Kurdistan Region elections at the earliest time possible. The Region’s elections are set to take place in May, after being delayed again earlier this month.
Kurdistan Region's parliamentary elections were initially scheduled for October 2022 but were pushed to November of the following year due to disagreements among the political parties over the election law. They were then supposed to take place on February 25, 2024.
The Region’s authorities have come under mounting criticism both domestically and internationally, for failing to hold elections on time.
Guterres and Barzani also discussed the importance of talks between Baghdad and Erbil amid a widening gap in the relations between the two. The main points of contention recently have been related to the Kurdistan Region’s independent oil exports, budget issues, and civil servant salaries.
Delegations from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have visited Baghdad frequently over the past few months to discuss amending the federal budget to guarantee Kurdish civil servants receive their salaries on time.
Barzani also met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, discussing the expansion of bilateral ties and joint cooperation between Athens and Erbil. According to a statement from Barzani’s office, Mitsotakis expressed his desire to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
I had a productive meeting with Greek Prime Minister @kmitsotakis at the #MSC2024 today.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) February 16, 2024
Our discussions centered on enhancing KR and Iraq’s cooperation with Greece and promoting security and stability in the broader region. pic.twitter.com/aSWjmG8GrA
Barzani later met with the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussing the latest security development of the region, and stressing the importance and need of joint cooperation between the countries of the Middle East to maintain peace and stability.
“We discussed ways to address the root causes of security challenges in the region for enduring peace and stability,” President Barzani said on X.
I’m pleased to have met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MBA_AlThani_ in Munich.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) February 16, 2024
We discussed ways to address the root causes of security challenges in the region for enduring peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/mz0ncQQH2M
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) serves as the primary global platform for discussing matters related to international security policy, creating a space for diplomatic efforts aimed at tackling the most urgent security issues on a global scale. Barzani arrived in Munich late on Thursday and is set to conduct high-level meetings over the three-day period of the conference.
The event brings together 450 high-profile and senior decision-makers and thinkers, including heads of state, ministers, as well as leading figures in the international NGO scene, industry, media, academia, and civil society.
The MSC was first launched in 1963 and initially served as a space for discussions focusing on Western policy against the backdrop of the Cold War, later on evolving into the wider international conference that it is today.
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