Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Meets President Erdogan In Istanbul
The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral ties, Iraq’s political landscape, and wider regional developments during a meeting at Dolmabahce Palace.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a diplomatically significant meeting amid a rapidly evolving regional landscape, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday afternoon at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
According to a statement released by the Kurdistan Regional Government, the meeting focused on relations between the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye, as well as the broader situation in Iraq and the region.
The talks came hours after Prime Minister Barzani arrived in Istanbul on an official visit aimed at strengthening coordination between Erbil and Ankara on political, economic, and regional issues.
High-level diplomatic engagement
The meeting at Dolmabahce Palace formed the centerpiece of Prime Minister’s official visit to Türkiye, which includes discussions with senior Turkish officials on a range of strategic files.
According to previous statements from the Kurdistan Regional Government, the visit seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation and reinforce dialogue between the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye at a time of heightened regional diplomatic activity.
Prime Minister Barzani is also scheduled to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as well as the ministers of defense and energy and several other senior Turkish officials.
The discussions between Barzani and Erdogan addressed the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the wider Middle East, alongside efforts to further develop Erbil-Ankara relations.
The visit reflects the continued importance of coordination between the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye on regional stability, economic connectivity, and shared geopolitical interests.
Officials have indicated that the talks also include reviewing avenues for expanding cooperation and maintaining executive-level dialogue between both sides.
As diplomatic engagements continue in Istanbul, the visit underscores the strategic weight of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye amid ongoing regional transformations.
Updated on May. 9, 2026, at 3:46 pm.