ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference where they discussed political and security developments in Syria and Iraq.

In the meeting, Barzani stressed the importance of “protecting the rights of the Kurdish people’s as well as all communities in Syria,” while pointing out the need for dialogue in resolving issues and working for a stable future for all Syrians, according to a statement published by the president’s media office.

Shaibani, for his part, reaffirmed Syria’s efforts toward bringing stability to Syria while stressing their commitment to “creating favorable conditions for national dialogue”, and emphasized his country’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to address current challenges.

The meeting came after in January, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Shaibani in Davos, discussing the need to safeguard Kurdish rights in the country. 

During the meeting, Shibani said “Kurds are our sisters and brothers and are an important component of Syria. We assure that their rights will be protected."

A rebel offensive in early December of last year spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), saw the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, ending the Assad’s five decade long rule and shifting the political scene in Syria and the Middle East.

A new interim government was formed in late January that resulted in former HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa being declared president to oversee the affairs of the transitional government.

Despite an influx of congratulatory messages to the new interim president from many regional powers, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, The Iraqi government, closely aligned with Iran, supported Assad’s regime, and has remained hesitant in taking an official stance regarding Sharaa’s appointment for the role.

However, speaking at a conference on Syria in Paris on Thursday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that Iraq will invite Sharaa to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Wednesday, Shaibani said that he has received an official invitation from Iraq and will visit Baghdad “soon”.

Shaibani was reportedly set to visit the Iraqi capital in early January but the trip was postponed indefinitely. The visit would mark the first of a delegation from the new Syrian administration to the neighboring country, as the two sides slowly work toward establishing ties.