ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, was warmly welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, along with dozens of other world leaders, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games 2024. Barzani later met with numerous heads of states and dignitaries. 

“The Games are a remarkable showcase of global unity, and Paris has once again demonstrated its inspirational spirit in bringing the world together," President Barzani said in a post on X.

The Kurdish leader had talks with Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and several other heads of states and high-profile officials. 

“Nechirvan Barzani can play an active role regarding the Kurds’ relations abroad,” Adel Bakawan, director of the French Centre for Research on Iraq (CFRI), told Rudaw, adding that Barzani’s invitation to Paris is very important for Kurds as a whole.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency said Barzani was in Paris on an official invitation by Macron. 

“During the event, President Nechirvan Barzani engaged in discussions with a number of global dignitaries and monarchs,” said the presidency in a statement. 

“This was followed by their attendance at the inauguration of the Olympic Games at the Chaillot Palace in the Trocadéro district of Paris, which was attended by thousands of visitors from across the world,” it added.