On the second day of the second Delphi Economic Forum Slemani, former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have a major opportunity to reshape their political future and build a new regional framework.

Iraq’s Diversity and a New Political Framework

Davutoglu said Basra and Erbil, representing all components of society, including Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, and Turkmen, now have a historic opportunity to redefine Iraq in a new way.

He described Iraq as “the Middle East in miniature,” noting, "You can see all components of the Middle East within Iraq. Peace in Iraq means peace in the Middle East."

He added that Iraq has passed through two major phases over the past 35 to 40 years and is now in a third. The first began with the Gulf War and Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, followed by the consequences of the Iran-Iraq War, sanctions, dictatorship, and the genocide in Halabja.

From the 2003 Intervention to a New Opportunity

Referring to the post-2003 period, Davutoglu said the U.S. intervention marked a second phase in Iraq’s modern history. He noted that during that era, “both sides knew each other well; the Iranians were aware that the U.S. leadership was stationed there, while the Americans recognized that Iran held field-level influence through militias and Iran-aligned groups.”

He added that this phase has now ended, creating what he described as a strong opportunity for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to establish a new political framework.

Praise for Political Dialogue and Regional Outlook

Commenting on remarks by Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Davutoglu said, "Yesterday, our brother Bafel Talabani made a beautiful point. He said that Iraq could either emerge as the winner of all these conflicts or potentially become the primary loser. I believe Iraq can be the winner.”

He added that all components, Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, and Turkmen, now share the opportunity to redefine the country.

Economic Development and Regional Comparison

Davutoglu stressed the importance of economic growth, stating that “Erbil and Sulaymaniyah are like European cities" and that “economic growth is far more important than regional conflict.”

He compared regional cities, noting that Mosul has lagged due to war and instability, while Erbil and Sulaymaniyah have advanced significantly. He also referenced Gaziantep in Turkey as an example of transformation driven by economic growth, adding that Erbil is open to Turkish investors.

ISIS War and Security Cooperation

Davutoglu revealed that during the war against ISIS, then-Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani contacted Turkish leadership to request support to prevent ISIS from reaching Erbil.

He stated, "When I was Prime Minister, ISIS was advancing toward Erbil. Kak Masoud contacted us, and I ordered our army to deploy forces directly to Erbil to stop ISIS from entering. Our military reached the border at midnight and forced ISIS to retreat.”

He added that Erbil and Sulaymaniyah represent key pillars of stability, stressing, “We do not view Iraq as a war zone; rather, we see Iraq as the backbone of economic integration.”