After a meeting with Mazloum Abdi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that “the rights and interests of the Kurds must be fully taken into account."
On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot embarked on a regional tour of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in an attempt to restart the process of finding a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The French Foreign Minister also visited Iraq and the Kurdistan Region yesterday.
Following a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in Baghdad, Barrot met with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Hewlêr (Erbil).
During the talks, France's support for political settlement efforts in the region and security cooperation were discussed.
Mazlum Abdi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Ilham Ahmed, Co-Chair of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), also met with Barrot in Hewlêr on Wednesday.
The talks focused on a political solution in Syria, regional stabilization and dialogue between the Syrian parties. France's role in the current process was highlighted and continued support for dialogue and settlement efforts was promised.
France has previously voiced its support for the agreement between the SDF and the Damascus government, calling it a step towards a political solution that guarantees Syria's unity and the rights of all its components.
Barrot posted a photo of his meeting with Mazloum Abdi on his X account and wrote: “With General Mazlum, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces. We have been fighting shoulder to shoulder against ISIS for ten years.”
“The rights and interests of the Kurds must be fully taken into account in the Syrian transition!” the Foreign Minister stated.
Barrot also shared photos of his meetings in Hewlêr with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, KDP leader Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and PUK President Bafel Talabani.
“France stands shoulder to shoulder with the Iraqi Kurds for freedom and against terrorism. Our solidarity is complete,” he wrote.
