Erbil, Kurdistan Region - On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Erbil to discuss the Netherlands' contributions to the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and bilateral relations.

A statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency highlighted discussions on the relationships between the Netherlands, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, with a particular focus on defense and military training. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among the Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and Dutch troops in combating terrorism.

The meeting also addressed the Kurdistan Region’s strategic role in promoting stability and ongoing efforts to reform and unify Peshmerga forces under the Peshmerga Ministry. Minister Brekelmans, who arrived in Erbil earlier in the day and was received by Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail, expressed the Netherlands' ongoing commitment to assisting the Peshmerga forces.

President Barzani extended gratitude to the Netherlands for its steadfast support in the anti-ISIS coalition. The Dutch Defense Minister reiterated Amsterdam’s dedication to Erbil, reflecting the Netherlands' active role in the US-led coalition against ISIS, including leadership in implementing a Peshmerga reform plan.

In addition to military cooperation, the Netherlands is also collaborating with the Kurdistan Region’s private sector to enhance youth employment through education initiatives, such as the “Co-create Your City” project.

Minister Brekelmans’ visit follows his meetings in Baghdad with NATO officials advising Iraqi defense and security forces. His trip also marks the second European defense ministerial visit to the Kurdistan Region in as many days, following Italy’s Guido Crosetto, who also met with President Barzani and other senior officials to discuss the ongoing fight against ISIS.

Western countries have continued to advocate for professionalizing and unifying the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces, a critical step for stability in the region despite the existing political affiliations of many Peshmerga units.