PM Barzani, UAE Delegation Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties
During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of further strengthening the special and friendly relations between the Kurdistan Region and the UAE.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday received a high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, also attended the meeting, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said in a statement.
During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of further strengthening the special and friendly relations between the Kurdistan Region and the UAE.
Prime Minister Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the UAE’s continued support, particularly from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The UAE delegation reaffirmed the significance of the Kurdistan Region and voiced readiness to enhance cooperation and coordination across various sectors.
The discussions also touched on the situation in Iraq and the broader region, including recent developments in Syria.
UAE–Kurdistan Region Relations
Relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kurdistan Region have steadily grown over the past two decades, with cooperation extending beyond politics into trade, investment, reconstruction, and cultural exchanges. The UAE was among the first Gulf states to establish a strong presence in the Kurdistan Region, opening a consulate in Erbil in 2012, which became a focal point for deepening bilateral ties.
Economically, the UAE has invested in infrastructure, energy, construction, and retail projects across the Kurdistan Region. Emirati companies have played a role in the post-ISIS reconstruction of Mosul, particularly in restoring cultural heritage sites and religious landmarks, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to cultural diplomacy.
On the humanitarian front, the UAE has assisted displaced people and vulnerable communities in Iraq, with the Kurdistan Region serving as a major hub for relief efforts during the peak of the ISIS crisis. The Emirates Red Crescent has been active in supporting healthcare, education, housing, and refugee camps across the region.
Politically, the visits of high-ranking delegations underscore Abu Dhabi’s strategic interest in strengthening relations with Erbil, not only as part of its Iraq policy but also as a broader element of the UAE’s outreach to regional partners.
The Kurdistan Region, with its relative stability and economic potential, has long been viewed by the UAE as a gateway to investment opportunities in northern Iraq.
The visit was therefore seen as a continuation of this trajectory, reaffirming the UAE’s role as a key regional partner for the Kurdistan Region and signalling a deepening of ties across multiple sectors.
