Foreign relations of Kurdistan Region

Relations of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) with foreign states and organizations are managed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KRG's primary body for directing its foreign affairs is the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR). The DFR's foremost objectives are to raise the global profile of the Kurdistan Region, improve the Region's international ties with various governments and international organizations, and present emerging business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region to regional and international actors.[1] Kurdistan Region does not have a foreign policy independent of the Iraqi federal government. Instead, KRG follows the foreign policy laid out by the Iraqi government.[2][3]


A total of 31 countries have a diplomatic presence in Erbil. Multinational bodies, including the EU, UN, ICRC, JICA and the KOICA also have offices in Kurdistan. The KRG's presence abroad has grown significantly since 2007. Currently the KRG has representative offices in 14 countries.[1]

Department of Foreign Relations

Kurdistan Region established the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) in September 2006 to conduct relations with the international community. Today, the DFR is an integral part of the government, with a wide-ranging portfolio of responsibilities. DFR used to be headed by Foreign Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir from 2006. It has been headed by Minister Safeen Dizayee since 2019. The KRG Department of Foreign Relations is mandated to promote the interests of the Kurdistan Region and its people in regard to relations with the international community and in accordance with the Region's legislation and the Constitution of Iraq.

The key responsibilities of the department include:

  • Strengthening bilateral relations with the international community
  • Promoting trade, investment, tourism and institutional ties
  • Supervising the KRG's offices overseas
  • Liaising with the diplomatic community in the Kurdistan Region
  • Organising the visits of political and economic delegations to the Kurdistan Region
  • Coordinating and organising KRG relations with the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Iraqi embassies abroad
  • Conducting and supporting activities that enhance the image of the Kurdistan Region
  • Communicating between official KRG institutions and the international community
  • Providing legal and authentication services to the people of the region and its citizens abroad

Bilateral relations

Americas

Country Notes
United States
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates talks with KRG President Massoud Barzani in Erbil, on 8 April 2011.
See Kurdistan Region–United States relations
  • The United States developed an official, institutionalized relationship with the Kurdistan Regional Government, evolving into a strategic and political partnership
  • The Kurdistan Region maintains a representative office in the United States since 2007.
  • The Consulate General of the United States in Erbil was established in 2011 and reinaugurated in 2025 following the construction of a new compound, becoming the largest US consulate in the world.
Canada See Canada–Kurdistan Region relations

Asia

Country Notes
ArmeniaSee Armenian–Kurdish relations
  • Armenia has a consulate general in Kurdistan Region.[4]
  • Relations are described as 'cordial'.[5]
India See India–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Diplomatic relations between India and the Kurdistan Regional Government remain limited despite historical ties, with cooperation mainly in energy (including Indian purchases of Kurdish oil via Turkey), labor, and education/medical travel.[6]
  • In 2014, Hemin Hawrani called for stronger political and economic ties, describing India as an important partner and encouraging investment and a diplomatic presence in Erbil.[6]
  • The same year, India sent special envoy Suresh K. Reddy to the region, expressing support for the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga, and announcing plans to open an Indian consulate in Kurdistan.[7]
Israel (denied) See Israel–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Relations between Israel and the Kurdistan Regional Government have been informally positive, with reports since 2004 of contacts between Israeli officials and Kurdish leaders such as Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani, alongside acknowledgment by Ariel Sharon.[8]
  • Kurdish leadership has signaled openness to formal ties, with Barzani stating in 2006 that relations with Israel were not problematic and could expand if Baghdad normalized relations.[8]
  • In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported the establishment of an independent Kurdish state, citing Kurdish political moderation and legitimacy for independence.[8]
Jordan See Jordan–Kurdistan Region relations
Kuwait See Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations
Palestine See Kurdistan Region–Palestine relations
South Korea See Kurdistan Region–South Korea relations
  • The Kurdistan Regional Government and South Korea maintain strong diplomatic, economic, and military relations.
  • Zaytun Division, a Republic of Korea Army contingent, was deployed to the Kurdistan Region from 2004 to 2008, focusing on reconstruction and humanitarian support, with troop levels peaking at around 3,600 personnel in Erbil.[10][11][12]
  • South Korea established a consulate in Erbil in 2004, reflecting its ongoing diplomatic presence in the region.[13]
Syria See Kurdistan Region–Syria relations
Turkey See Kurdistan Region–Turkey relations
  • The Kurdistan Regional Government and Turkey developed economic and geopolitical ties from the late 2000s, marked by expanding trade, energy cooperation, and the opening of the Consulate General of Turkey in Erbil in 2010.[14]
  • The partnership deepened through major energy agreements, including pipeline deals in 2012,[15] and was symbolized by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's landmark visit to the Kurdistan Region in 2011, the first by a Turkish leader.[1]
  • Relations were strained following the 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum, which Turkey strongly opposed, leading to temporary flight suspensions and media restrictions, though trade and border access largely continued.[16][17]

Australia

Country Notes
AustraliaSee Australia–Kurdistan Region relations

Europe

Country Notes
Albania
  • Albania sent weapons to Kurdistan Region in 2014 in the fight against Islamic State.[21]
ArmeniaSee Armenian–Kurdish relations
  • Armenia has a consulate general in the Kurdistan Regional's capital.[22]
AustriaSee Austria–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Austria has a commercial office in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Vienna.[24]
BelgiumSee Belgium–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Belgium has no representation in Kurdistan Region.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has no representation in Belgium.[24]
BulgariaSee Bulgaria–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Bulgaria has a commercial office in Erbil,[23] and has plans to open a consulate in Erbil.[25]
  • Kurdistan has no representation in Bulgaria.[24]
CroatiaSee Croatia–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Croatia plans on opening a consulate in Erbil.[26]
  • Kurdistan has no representation in Croatia.[24]
Cyprus
  • Cyprus sent weapons to Kurdistan Region in 2017 in the fight against Islamic State.[27]
Czech RepublicSee Czech Republic–Kurdistan Region relations
Estonia
  • Estonia sent weapons to Kurdistan Region in 2014 in the fight against Islamic State.[28]
Finland
  • Finland has a military presence in Kurdistan Region, having 50 soldiers training Kurdish soldiers. As of April 2017, about 1,700 Kurdish soldiers have finished training.[29]
FranceSee France–Kurdistan Region relations
  • France has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Paris.[24]
GermanySee Germany–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Germany has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Berlin.[24]
GreeceSee Greece–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Greece has a consulate general in Erbil.[30]
  • Kurdistan Region has no representation in Greece.[24]
Holy SeeSee Holy See–Kurdistan Region relations
HungarySee Hungary–Kurdistan Region relations
  • Hungary has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan has no representation in Hungary.[24]
ItalySee Italy–Kurdistan Region relations
NetherlandsSee Kurdistan Region–Netherlands relations
  • Netherlands has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has no representation in the Netherlands.[24]
Norway
  • Norway has a military presence in Kurdistan Region, training Kurdish soldiers.[34]
PolandSee Kurdistan Region–Poland relations
  • Poland has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Warsaw.[24]
RomaniaSee Kurdistan Region–Romania relations
  • Romania has a consular office in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has no representation in Romania.[24]
RussiaSee Kurdistan Region–Russia relations
  • Russia has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Moscow.[24]
SlovakiaSee Kurdistan Region–Slovakia relations
Slovenia
  • Slovenia has a military presence in Kurdistan Region, training Kurdish soldiers.[35]
SpainSee Kurdistan Region–Spain relations
  • Spain has no representation in Kurdistan Region.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Madrid.[24]
SwedenSee Kurdistan Region–Sweden relations
  • Sweden has a consulate office in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Stockholm.[24]
 Switzerland
  • Switzerland has no representation in Kurdistan Region.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in Bern.[24]
United Kingdom
UK Minister for Trade and Investment Ian Livingston talks with Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region Nechervan Barzani in London, on 19 May 2014.
  • United Kingdom has a consulate general in Erbil.[23]
  • Kurdistan Region has a representation in London.[24]

Non-state actors

Country Notes
RojavaSee Rojava–Kurdistan Region relations

Participation in international sports federations

Kurdistan Region holds 'member' status in two international sports federations.

International organisation Status Representation Application date Admission date Notes
N.F.-Board member Iraqi Kurdistan Football Association December 2008 In 2008, an Iraqi Kurdistani team participated for the first time in the Viva World Cup. Iraqi Kurdistan hosted Viva World Cup in 2012 and won it.
CONIFA member Iraqi Kurdistan Football Association June 2013 In May 2016, an Iraqi Kurdistan team will participate in the ConIFA World Football Cup hosted by Abkhazia.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Overview: Kurdistan Region of Iraq". Invest in Group. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ "A look into the Kurdistan Region's foreign policy: An interview with Falah Mustafa". Kurdistan 24.
  3. ↑ "إيران مباشر.. توقعات باتفاق قريب بشأن هرمز وطهران تتعهد بالدفاع عن مذكرة التفاهم". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). ليست لدينا علاقات مع إسرائيل والسياسة الخارجية من اختصاص الحكومة الاتحادية
  4. ↑ "Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia". gov.krd. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Armenian, Iraqi Kurdish PMs Discuss Closer Business Ties". Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Swami, Praveen (July 3, 2014). "Kurdish leadership calls for better India ties". The Hindu.
  7. ↑ "India to open Consulate General in Kurdistan". dfr.gov.krd. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "Netanyahu expresses support for Kurdish independence". Los Angeles Times. June 29, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "إيران مباشر.. توقعات باتفاق قريب بشأن هرمز وطهران تتعهد بالدفاع عن مذكرة التفاهم". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). ليست لدينا علاقات مع إسرائيل والسياسة الخارجية من اختصاص الحكومة الاتحادية
  10. ↑ "Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea". Archived from the original on March 16, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  11. ↑ "위문편지". July 21, 2006. Archived from the original on October 23, 2005. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea". Archived from the original on January 5, 2005. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Embassy office of the Republic of Korea". www.dfr.gov.krd. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Turkish Consulate General in Erbil". MFA of Turkey. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Turkey's KGR energy partnership". Foreign Policy. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Turkey-KRG relations one year after Kurdish independence vote". Ahval. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  17. ↑ "3 TV channels, including KRG's Rudaw, to be removed from TurkSat over broadcasting violations". DailySabah. September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on May 24, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Erdogan meeting 'special guest' Nechirvan Barzani in Istanbul". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Erdogan Turns to Kurds to Win Istanbul Election". Voice of America. June 21, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Iraqi Kurdish president visits Turkey as Erdoğan's 'special guest'". Ahval. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Albania Starts Shifting Weapons to Iraqi Kurds". Balkan Insight. August 27, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia". gov.krd. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Current Foreign Representations in the Kurdistan Region". Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "KRG offices abroad". Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Bulgaria to Open Consulate in Erbil". iraq-businessnews.com. December 1, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  26. ↑ "The Croatia Ambassador to Iraq visited Erbil Chamber". Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry. November 15, 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Cyprus could send more light arms, ammunition to Kurdistan: FM". Kurdistan24. November 11, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  28. ↑ Andres Einmann (August 29, 2014). "Estonia gives Kurds a million cartridges". Posttimees. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Finland's training contributes to troops' capabilities in Iraq". April 25, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Iraq". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  31. ↑ "President". Kurdistan Region Presidency. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Pope Benedict commends President Barzani for promoting religious tolerance". Kurdistan Regional Government. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  33. ↑ "President Barzani Meets Pope Francis at the Vatican". Kurdistan Region Presidency. May 31, 2014. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Norwegian soldiers to be deployed to Iraq". Government of Norway. March 5, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Slovenia sending up to 15 inspectors to Iraq". The Slovenia Times. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
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