President Barzani Unveils the Peshmerga Plaque and Opens Peshmerga Street in Paris

On Friday, September 5, 2025, President Masoud Barzani, in the French capital Paris, along with Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, a number of government officials, intellectuals, and personalities of the country, as well as a delegation from Erbil Governorate, veteran Peshmerga fighters, and members of the Kurdish diaspora in Europe and France, unveiled the plaque of the Peshmerga and inaugurated Peshmerga Street at André Citroën Park. During the ceremony, the Mayor of Paris delivered a speech in which she praised the role of the Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Region. President Barzani also gave a speech, expressing his happiness at visiting Paris and at having a street named after the Peshmerga. Following his address, President Barzani awarded a medal of honor in Paris to a veteran wounded in the war against ISIS.

As part of the event, President Barzani, Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and Mr. Philippe Goujon toured a photography exhibition displaying a series of images depicting the panoramic history of the Peshmerga struggle from the era of the Kurdish revolutions until today. In addition, Kurdish artist Şivan Perwer performed several songs. During the unveiling of the Peshmerga plaque, several veteran Peshmerga fighters took commemorative photos with President Barzani.

President Barzani’s Speech at the Inauguration of Peshmerga Street in Paris

In the Name of Almighty God

Dear Madam Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, I sincerely thank you, the Paris City Council, and the Mayor of the 15th arrondissement of Paris for organizing this important and historic ceremony. Today is a historic day in the history of the Kurdish people.

Throughout history, France has always stood for humanity and friendship towards the people of Kurdistan. From the era of General de Gaulle until today, France has consistently supported the cause of the Kurdish people and was the first country to allow the establishment of the Kurdish Institute in Paris.

Here, I also raise my voice alongside yours in gratitude, and I especially thank Kak Kendal for his great service to the people of Kurdistan and for strengthening the ties of friendship between the peoples of Kurdistan and France.

Today is a joyful occasion and an opportunity to meet with many dear friends.

The Peshmerga have fulfilled a sacred duty. But the honor you have given to the Peshmerga today is not only respect for their struggle but also respect for the friendship between the people of France and the people of Kurdistan. I want to emphasize that Kurdistan must always remain a place of coexistence, and the Peshmerga will always stand as the defenders of human rights, freedom, and democracy.

In the war against ISIS, the Peshmerga made 12,000 sacrifices, in martyrs and wounded, but they also achieved a great victory for themselves and their nation—an achievement so significant that today, in Paris, a park is named after the Peshmerga. This is a great honor, and I say with full confidence that as long as there are Kurds, we will remain grateful to the people of France and the city of Paris.

It is gratifying that despite changes in governments, France’s stance toward the Kurdish cause has never changed. Over the past decades, we have witnessed many changes—presidents have come and gone—yet France’s position on the Kurdish people has remained firm. The first European president to meet with a Kurdish leader was President François Mitterrand in 1992, when he welcomed me. That was a great honor for me. The first European woman I saw shed tears for the victims of the Kurdish people was Madam Mitterrand in 1989, and such a moment can never be forgotten.

France, Paris, and the French nation have a permanent place in the hearts of the Kurdish people. Long live Paris, long live Erbil, long live the friendship between the people of France and the people of Kurdistan.

I reiterate that the Peshmerga are the protectors of freedom and human rights. They are an official part of Iraq’s defense system, defending all of Iraq against terrorism. The Peshmerga will continue their role of fighting terrorists everywhere in the world, and this is a great honor. The Peshmerga have carried out their sacred duty with dignity. From here, I extend my gratitude to all Peshmerga fighters and salute those who made this day possible and who brought us this pride.

Once again, I thank you all. Today is truly a historic day, and as long as I live, I will never forget it.