President Barzani, EU Ambassador Discuss Regional Tensions, Syria and Sinjar Agreement

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani received European Union Ambassador to Iraq Klemens Semtner in the Pirmam district of Erbil on Sunday, according to a statement from Barzani Headquarters.

The meeting was also attended by Stefan Wendt, the newly appointed head of the EU Office in Erbil.

Semtner congratulated President Barzani on the 80th anniversary of the KDP's establishment and expressed condolences to the families of victims of recent drone and missile attacks in the Kurdistan Region.

The EU ambassador stressed that stability in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq remains important to the European Union, particularly amid the complex and volatile regional situation.

The two sides discussed political and security developments in the region, tensions across the Middle East, and Iraq's prospects for the next phase.

Developments in Syria were also addressed, along with the situation in Sinjar and the reasons behind the continued failure to fully implement the Sinjar Agreement.

The Sinjar Agreement was signed in October 2020 by the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, with UN support, to restore security and administration in Sinjar, facilitate the return of displaced residents, and remove unauthorized armed groups from the district.

However, key provisions of the agreement have remained unimplemented, with disputes over security arrangements, local administration, and the presence of various armed groups continuing to complicate efforts to normalize the situation.

The meeting comes as the Kurdistan Region continues to face security concerns linked to drone and missile attacks, while political and security developments in Syria and the wider region remain closely watched by Erbil and its international partners.