ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday held meetings with a number of top Turkish officials in Istanbul, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussing bilateral ties and the Middle East’s security amid recent developments.

The Kurdish premier arrived in Istanbul on Saturday morning, where he met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, in addition to the Turkish president.

Barzani’s meeting with Erdogan saw the pair discuss the regional war, the peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the Iraqi government formation process.

"President Erdogan expressed that they are saddened by the targeting of Iraqi territory, including Erbil, in the war between the US and Iran," the Turkish Presidency said in a statement.

“Both sides hoped that the new Iraqi cabinet will consolidate peace and stability in Iraq and serve all communities without discrimination and resolve issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government on the basis of the constitution,” according to a statement from Barzani’s office.

The premier also met with Foreign Minister Fidan in Istanbul, with the pair exchanging views on “the developments affecting the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region,” as well as efforts toward forming Iraq’s new government.

The premier’s visit comes as Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi has been tasked with forming the country’s next government cabinet within 30 days of his appointment on April 27.

Barzani and Bayraktar meanwhile, emphasized strengthening “cooperation and coordination between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region in the areas of trade, oil, energy, and electricity,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

In his meeting with Guler, Turkey’s defense minister, “the developments affecting the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region” were discussed.

“Both sides stressed the importance of safeguarding the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the broader region, and underscored the need to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East,” the KRG said in a separate statement.

Despite maintaining a neutral stance, the Kurdistan Region has been targeted by hundreds of drone and missile attacks by Iran and Iran-aligned Iraqi factions that have continued amid a fragile ceasefire between the warring parties.