Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the future of relations between Erbil and Baghdad on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Speaking at a high-level military graduation ceremony in Sulaymaniah, Barzani emphasized a shared national destiny, stating that the security of the Kurdistan Region is completely intertwined with the stability of federal Iraq.
The address combined military directives with high-stakes political messaging, extending an optimistic hand of cooperation toward the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi to build a genuine national partnership.
President Barzani delivered his remarks during the graduation ceremony of the 5th officer training course at the 3rd Military College in Qachaghulan, Sulaymaniah, where 210 highly qualified university graduates entered the official ranks of the Ministry of Peshmerga affairs. Notably, Barzani pointed out that the new officers standing under both the Iraqi national flag and the Kurdistan Regional flag perfectly reflects the region’s lawful status within the federal state.
Turning to regional security, Barzani reiterated that internal Kurdish unity remains the bedrock of regional resilience. He described the ethno-religious diversity within the Kurdistan Region as a primary source of political and social strength rather than a point of fracture.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the US-led International Coalition for its unwavering tactical support during the war against ISIS, while praising international allies for their ongoing mediation in fast-tracking structural institutional reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga.
“A shared destiny links Erbil and Baghdad. Our national successes are unified, and our regional challenges are entirely mutual. The Kurdistan Region looks forward with great optimism to working hand-in-hand with the government of Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi to ensure economic reconstruction and equal development for all Iraqi citizens on the basis of constitutional respect.”
On the geopolitical front, Barzani warmly welcomed recent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate long-standing military and political frictions between the United States and Iran through active dialogue.
He reasserted that the Kurdistan Region will continuously operate as a bridge of trust and a stabilizing anchor in the Middle East. Barzani made it clear that neither the KRG nor federal Iraq should ever be drawn into proxy conflicts or regional axes, prioritizing regional welfare, peace, and sustainable commercial partnerships over geopolitical confrontation.