On 29 and 30 October, under the theme ‘Towards a Right and Welfare Governance’, the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) convened in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), for a two-day summit featuring 14 panels on political developments across the Middle East, Iraq, and the KRI.
Figures such as Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG), Bafel Talabani, Secretary-General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Iraqi Patriotic Wisdom (Al-Hikmah) Movement, and Mohammad Hassan, United Nations Special Envoy, offered insights and responded to guest inquiries.
In his closing address, Nechirvan Barzani discussed resolving the Kurdish issue in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Turkey.
His comments illustrated a clear manipulation of facts, and a failure to address the broader political dynamics, instead attributing regional issues to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which he labelled a terrorist group. His statements underscored ongoing cooperation between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Turkey, despite longstanding regional tensions.
In a segment of his speech addressing Turkey’s peace process concerning the Kurdish issue, Barzani remarked:
“Since the establishment of Turkey’s current government under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), considerable strides have been made regarding the Kurdish issue. The advancements, while possibly modest by our standards, represent significant changes within Turkey and cannot be disregarded. Previously, it was almost unthinkable for someone to openly identify as Kurdish in Turkey. Now, however, there is even a Kurdish-language television channel. Although these developments may appear minor to some, their impact in Turkey’s context is substantial.”
Barzani further expressed optimism about the initiation of a peace process in Turkey, noting:
“We discussed this during my recent trip to Turkey. I am convinced that resolving this issue can help Turkey and the entire region to move past the current impasse. However, those opposed to this process must be restrained. Regarding the attack in Ankara, this act of terrorism was intended, at the very least, to disrupt the atmosphere and divert attention from the peace process. This act inflicted serious damage on these efforts.”
While ignoring the invasion of the KRI by Turkey, the killing of civilians, and the occupation of broad territories within Duhok (Dihok) province, Barzani emphasised the importance of recent statements by right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlat Bahçeli. He stated that, in light of the Turkish President’s remarks, there is reason to hope for a resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
However, he described the PKK as a persistent challenge for both Turkey and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Barzani—like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—excluded the PKK from peace negotiations. He criticised the PKK for, in his words, failing to respect the institutions of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and called on the organisation to reconsider its approach if it seeks a genuine resolution. However, Barzani notably omitted from this discussion that, since at least 1999, the PKK, its leader, and all affiliated institutions have actively pursued a peaceful resolution not only within Turkey but for the entire Middle East.
Finally, Barzani emphasised the differences across various parts of Kurdistan, proposing solutions within the frameworks of Iran, Turkey, and Syria, while rejecting armed struggle in favour of peaceful negotiation. He urged Kurds to seek resolution within their respective national contexts. He did not, however, present any concrete mechanisms to achieve this solution.
Unlike previous years, this year’s MERI summit focused primarily on Iraq, with Barzani participating in the final panel. His statements, according to Middle Eastern spectators, were made within a power vacuum in the region, which is fraught with tensions and territorial rivalries as states vie to further their interests.
