President Nechirvan Barzani meets with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot

Erbil, Kurdistan Region
April 23, 2025

This evening, President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot along with his delegation during their official visit to Iraq.

During the meeting, both parties engaged in a comprehensive and fruitful dialogue regarding the enhancement of French relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, while also sharing perspectives on the current developments in Iraq and the surrounding region.

President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized the importance of the longstanding friendship and historical ties between France and both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He expressed a strong desire to enhance collaborative efforts across various sectors, particularly in the areas of security, stability, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to France and President Macron for their unwavering support to Iraq and the Kurdistan region, particularly during challenging times. The President expressed optimism for ongoing collaboration and coordination aimed at fostering peace and development in the region.

The French Foreign Minister conveyed his satisfaction in visiting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing his country's commitment to enhancing relations across all sectors with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

He emphasized that France values its partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region highly, and remains committed to providing support across all sectors.

The meeting also addressed the situation in Syria along with other matters of mutual concern. Following the meeting, a press conference was held to discuss its contents.


President Nechirvan Barzani said:

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Noel Barrot, to Erbil this evening.

I express my gratitude for his visit to the Kurdistan Region. Our discussions were extensive and fruitful, focusing on the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and France, as well as the current developments in Iraq and the surrounding region.

We hold in high regard the friendship and historical ties between France and Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Region. We reaffirm our dedication to enhancing these relations and broadening our collaborative efforts across various sectors, particularly in the realms of security, stability, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

We wish to convey our heartfelt appreciation to France and President Macron for their unwavering support to the people of Kurdistan, particularly during challenging times.

We anticipate ongoing collaboration and alignment between our parties to promote peace and development in the region. Once again, welcome, Mr. Minister.


Then Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said:

Mr. President, dear Nechirvan Barzani, it is a true honor to be present with you today in Erbil during my inaugural visit to Iraq, a journey that I could not have envisioned without coming to the Kurdistan Region.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, as well as to President Massoud Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, for your gracious hospitality and gesture of camaraderie. The bond between France and Kurdistan, as well as between the Kurdish and French peoples, is indeed remarkable. For over three decades, we have nurtured robust and fraternal ties founded on our shared struggles and dedication to the pursuit of freedom.

On April 5, 1991, France was the first to propose to the UN Security Council the adoption of Resolution 688, which facilitated the establishment of Kurdish self-governance in Iraq.

In recent years, our collaboration in the fight against ISIS has significantly enhanced our relations, fostering a genuine camaraderie among our armed forces. We remain committed to supporting the Peshmerga, Iraqi security forces, and the Syrian Democratic Forces in their ongoing efforts.

I would like to commend the bravery and dedication of the Peshmerga forces. Achieving peace and development in the Middle East is contingent upon maintaining pluralism in the region. This is what I conveyed recently to the Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Mar Luis Rofael I Sacco, while reiterating France's steadfast commitment.

Today, I wish to reaffirm to Mr. President and the leaders of the Kurdistan Region, along with all its communities, France's commitment to collaboration and the dialogue-driven approach that defines our relationship.

The initiation of our collaboration in combating ISIS, a shared adversary that, despite its vulnerabilities, continues to present a potential danger. Both France and Iraqi Kurdistan, which have endured significant hardships due to Islamic terrorism, must not waver or relinquish the progress achieved over the past ten years of effort.

We are dedicated to offering comprehensive support to our partners involved in this conflict, along with assistance regarding the broader implications of the regional turmoil.

Numerous crisis points exist, including the conflict in Gaza, rising tensions with Iran, the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's downfall, and the difficulties associated with Syria's transition.

Both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have successfully managed to mitigate regional tensions and have actively engaged in efforts to promote stability.

The ongoing political and diplomatic discussions we are having with the regional authorities are crucial for ending the cycle of violence that was initiated by the terrorist attack on October 7.

Mr. President, I wish to emphasize our strong collaboration in supporting General Mazlum and the Kurdish political entities in Syria, aiming to unify efforts and positively influence the sustainable transition process in the region. I will be discussing this matter with General Mazlum shortly.

Amid these challenges, France holds that the resilience of democratic institutions, exemplified by the Kurdistan Region, plays a crucial role. This perspective is reflected in the parliamentary elections that took place in the region last October, as well as in the upcoming federal parliamentary elections planned for next fall.

France has expressed its commitment to supporting this electoral process and will maintain this support. This underscores the significance of the current discussions regarding the establishment of the new KRG cabinet, aimed at enhancing Kurdistan's capacity to address regional instability.

In conclusion, this signifies that the conversation between Erbil and Baghdad is viewed by France as a chance to enhance Iraqi unity, security, and development, along with the overall security and progress of the surrounding region.

We have numerous collaborative opportunities ahead of us, Mr. President, both as French and Kurdish partners. Our diplomatic and cultural initiatives in Kurdistan are evident through various ongoing projects. I am here to reiterate our dedication to this partnership and our aspiration to foster growth for a shared future.

Our objective is to enhance youth education by providing support through the French Institute in Erbil, the French Institute for the Middle East, and the two French schools, 'Daniel Mitterrand,' located in Sulaimani and Erbil.

These organizations play a crucial role in promoting the French language and culture, as well as facilitating academic and scientific collaboration. Additionally, we are committed to fostering economic growth in Kurdistan by enhancing trade relations, a journey that commenced with the signing of the French-Kurdish Economic Forum last September, which we aim to reinforce further.

I wanted to address these matters with you, Mr. President, in a confidential manner, as well as with the authorities in the region. My intention is to foster the spirit of friendship, collaboration, and solidarity that defines our French-Kurdish relations.

Thank you again for your hospitality.