The Kurdish Center for Studies Participates in Baghdad Forum Between Syrian and Iraqi Research Centers

The Kurdish Center for Studies, represented by its director, Nawaf Khalil, participated in a forum that gathered several Syrian and Iraqi research centers. This event took place in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, at the invitation of the Iraqi Group for Foreign Affairs, on April 9-10, 2025.

During the forum, which brought together various research and study centers from Syria and their Iraqi counterparts, a number of ideas and issues concerning both countries were discussed. Participants presented political, economic, and intellectual perspectives aimed at building a common ground to assist officials in Iraq and Syria in developing and improving relations, and strengthening the ties among all components of the Syrian and Iraqi peoples.

The attendees also met with key Iraqi figures, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Speaker of Parliament Muhammad al-Halbousi, Chairman of the (Azm) Coalition, Muthana al-Samarrai, and Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholics in Iraq and the world.

Participants engaged in discussions about issues of mutual concern, especially in light of the recent changes in Syria. They emphasized the necessity for positive participation from officials and decision-makers in both countries to advance and develop bilateral relations in economic, social, and political aspects for the benefit of both the Syrian and Iraqi peoples and their communities.

Nawaf Khalil, the director of the Kurdish Center for Studies, highlighted the importance of the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the need for Iraq’s involvement in consolidating internal Syrian consensus. He advocated for facilitating dialogue among Syrian components to ensure clear participation in the political process within a decentralized federal Syria, as well as strengthening trade relations, including opening border crossings and enhancing commercial exchange for the betterment of both peoples and countries.

The attendees agreed to continue holding such meetings in the future and to maintain ongoing consultations to explore ideas and visions that would expand avenues for mutual cooperation, providing information and advice that would facilitate work programs between the two sides.