Damascus: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa held talks in Damascus on Monday with the president of Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, to discuss economic cooperation, bilateral relations and regional developments.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Syrian presidency reported that Sharaa received Barzani and his accompanying delegation at the People's Palace in Damascus in the presence of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The discussions focused on enhancing relations between Syria and the KRG, with an emphasis on strengthening cooperation and coordination in the economic sector. The presidency highlighted that the two leaders reviewed recent regional developments and a range of mutual concerns, aiming to bolster security, stability, and broader regional collaboration.

In a statement shared on the US social media platform X, Barzani expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Damascus at Sharaa's invitation. He acknowledged Syria's historic opportunity to recover and prosper after years of hardship and expressed confidence in President Sharaa's leadership to guide Syria towards greater stability and prosperity. Barzani reaffirmed his support for a united Syria that protects the rights of all ethnic and religious communities.

Barzani also emphasized the importance of Syria's role in promoting regional peace and security. This visit marks Barzani's first trip to Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The leaders first met on April 11, 2025, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Trkiye and met again on April 17, 2026, during the forum's fifth edition.