Nechirvan Barzani: Iraq’s Sovereignty Means State Authority, Constitutional Rule

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said Thursday that the conclusion of the international Coalition’s mission in Iraq marks a turning point for the country, stressing that sovereignty means more than the withdrawal of foreign forces and requires the state to hold the final decision over security, war and peace.

Barzani made the remarks in Baghdad during a ceremony marking the conclusion of the international Coalition’s mission in Iraq, attended by Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, Parliament Speaker Haybat al-Halbousi, senior Iraqi officials and international representatives.

Addressing the ceremony, Barzani said Iraq had passed through several difficult decades and that Iraqis had stood together against ISIS when the group attacked the country.

He paid tribute to the Iraqi Army, Peshmerga, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and other armed and security forces for their sacrifices in defending the country.

Barzani also expressed appreciation for the United States, the international Coalition and other allies that supported Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government during the fight against ISIS.

He said Iraqis would not forget that support as Coalition forces leave the country under agreements with the federal government.

“True appreciation must develop toward assuming national responsibility in Iraq,” Barzani said, stressing that the measure of the success of international support is not the indefinite presence of foreign forces, but Iraq’s ability to assume full responsibility for its own security and stability.

From Coalition mission to long-term partnership

Barzani said the end of the Coalition mission opens a new phase based on confidence in Iraq’s national capabilities.

He called for Iraq’s relationship with the United States and Coalition countries to evolve from the requirements of the fight against terrorism into a long-term and balanced partnership covering security, the economy, investment, energy, education, technology and diplomacy.

Such a partnership, he said, should be based on mutual interests and respect for state sovereignty and serve all of Iraq, its diverse components and regional stability.

‘Sovereignty is a national responsibility’

Barzani said sovereignty should be clearly defined, arguing that it is not simply the departure of foreign military forces.

“Sovereignty is not merely the withdrawal of foreign military forces, but a national responsibility,” he said.

He said sovereignty means that the state holds the final decision, the Constitution and federal system are implemented, and constitutional institutions serve as the reference for all.

He also stressed that decisions over war and peace should rest solely with the legitimate authority of the state.

“Iraq’s strength does not lie in weapons outside state authority, nor in confusion and instability,” Barzani said, arguing that the country’s strength lies in resolving disputes through dialogue and understanding, with the state and Constitution prevailing while the rights of all components are protected.

Baghdad-Erbil disputes must be resolved

The Kurdistan Region president called for the resolution of Iraq’s outstanding domestic disputes, including issues between Erbil and Baghdad, the question of weapons and the rights of all Iraqi components.

He said those issues should be addressed through the Constitution and a national Iraqi will rather than being allowed to become continuing crises for future generations.

Barzani said he wanted to see a constitutional, federal and stable Iraq with full sovereignty, capable of protecting the lives and security of all its components and citizens without discrimination.

He also called for Iraq to maintain balanced relations with neighboring and friendly countries and avoid becoming an arena for regional confrontation.

Kurdistan Region backs stronger security coordination

Barzani said the Kurdistan Region would continue to support measures that strengthen Iraq’s sovereignty, security and stability.

He said Erbil would work with the federal government and all Iraqi forces and components through dialogue and within the constitutional framework.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening coordination and cooperation between the Peshmerga, Iraqi Army and other Iraqi armed and security forces.

The remarks come as Iraq enters the post-Coalition phase following the formal conclusion of the international Coalition’s military mission against ISIS.

The transition has placed greater emphasis on Iraqi security institutions assuming responsibility for counterterrorism and national security, while Baghdad and its international partners seek to redefine their relationship around longer-term security and strategic cooperation.

Barzani concluded by calling the Coalition’s departure an opportunity to build greater trust among Iraq’s political and constitutional components and to establish a new phase in which Iraq is strengthened through unity, the rule of law and constitutional partnership.

Below is the full text of President Nechirvan Barzani’s speech:

Your Excellency Mr. Ali Falih al-Zaidi,
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Mr. Speaker of the Council of Representatives,

Distinguished attendees and esteemed guests,

Good evening.

It is a great pleasure to be with you in Baghdad today, on this important national occasion, as Iraq enters a new transitional phase marked by the conclusion of the Global Coalition’s military mission in Iraq.

Over the course of several decades, Iraq has endured difficult and painful circumstances. When the terrorist organization ISIS attacked our country, the Iraqi people stood united in confronting terrorism and defending the nation.

The Iraqi Army, the Peshmerga, the Popular Mobilization Forces, along with all the armed and security forces, played a vital role in defending our homeland, making shared sacrifices and shedding their blood in its service. We remember all these sacrifices with the highest respect, and we extend our greetings to all the martyrs.

During that difficult period, and at the request of the Iraqi Government, the United States, the Global Coalition, and our friends stood alongside Iraq and provided assistance and support. We, all Iraqis, remember their support with appreciation.

Today, as the Coalition forces depart Iraqi territory pursuant to the agreement concluded with the Federal Government, we will never forget their support and assistance. We will continue to appreciate it. At the same time, genuine gratitude must be expressed through Iraq’s assumption of full national responsibility for its own affairs.

The success of international support should not be measured by the eternal presence of foreign forces. Rather, it should be measured by whether we, as Iraqis, have developed the capacity to assume full responsibility for protecting the security, sovereignty, and stability of our country.

With the conclusion of the Global Coalition’s military mission in Iraq, we are entering a new phase, a phase defined by confidence in our national institutions and reliance on our own capabilities. We look forward to advancing our relations with the United States and Coalition member countries beyond the immediate requirements of the campaign against terrorism, toward a balanced and enduring partnership in security, economy, investment, energy, education, technology, and diplomacy. Such a partnership should be founded on mutual interests, mutual respect, and full regard for the sovereignty of states. It should serve Iraq and all its components, while contributing to the consolidation of security and stability throughout the region.

Distinguished attendees,

When we speak of sovereignty, it is important that we define its meaning clearly:

Sovereignty is not only the withdrawal of foreign military forces; it is an integrated national responsibility.

Sovereignty means that the state possesses the final decision. It means upholding the Constitution and the federal system and ensuring that constitutional institutions remain the recognized and binding reference for all.

It means that decisions on war and peace rest exclusively with the state's legitimate constitutional authorities.

Iraq’s strength does not derive from weapons held outside state authority, nor from escalation or instability. Iraq’s strength lies in addressing issues through dialogue and understanding. It lies in upholding the authority of the state and the Constitution, while safeguarding balance and the rights of all components.

The time has come to address and resolve all outstanding issues in Iraq, starting with Erbil-Baghdad relations, arms control, and the rights of all components. These matters must be addressed based on the Constitution and in accordance with an Iraqi national will, and should not be left unresolved or passed on as crises to future generations.

We aspire to a constitutional, federal, stable, and fully sovereign Iraq, an Iraq that protects the lives and security of all its components without discrimination. We envision an Iraq that cultivates balanced partnerships with neighboring countries and international allies based on mutual interests, serving not as an arena for regional tensions but rather as a platform for constructive dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and enduring stability throughout the region.

That vision of Iraq is a shared responsibility for all of us. We in the Kurdistan Region will always be cooperative and supportive of every step that strengthens Iraq’s sovereignty, security, and stability. Together with the Federal Government and all the components and forces of Iraq, we will proceed through dialogue and in accordance with the Constitution. We underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation among the Peshmerga, the Iraqi Army, and all armed and security forces.

Let us regard this significant moment as the foundation for greater mutual trust and as the beginning of a new phase in which Iraq is safeguarded and able to stand with dignity through the unity, rule of law, and constitutional partnership of all its components.

Thank you, and I wish you a great evening.