Following the meeting with Barzani, Macron set the framework for a "national dialogue" between the Iraqi and Kurdish governments after the September Kurdish vote on independence. He said that the dialogue, in light of the Iraqi constitution, must begin at the earliest possible time.
Abdulla Zaidi, in charge of the Kurdish case within the Shiite National Alliance told Rudaw that the KRG aims to wrap up efforts to begin dialogue with the Iraqi government the way it wants, not how Baghdad wants, thus trying to achieve international support to mend strained ties with the central government.
Zaidi believes France plays what he called a great role and that what Macron stressed concerning commitments to the territorial integrity of Iraq corresponds to what Baghdad has sought in the first place.
A Sunni official wishes the Barzani visit yields a promising result for both sides, the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.
Abdulqahar Samarai echoed the sentiment that France "plays a crucial role" in resolving Erbil-Baghdad tensions and strengthening the spirit of national coexistence among all Iraqi groups.
After the meeting Macron made a phone call to Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stressing his country’s unwavering stance on the territorial integrity of Iraq and urging dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to mend their ties.
Abadi and Macron both echoed the significance of resolving issues between Erbil and Baghdad through dialogue and commitment to the constitution.
The visit, however, sparked outrage among the Shiite State of Law coalition led by Iraqi VP Nouri al-Maliki.
"The French reception of Barzani at this level should be within the framework of international laws and through the [Iraqi] federal government and the Foreign Ministry," Jasim Mohammed, an MP from the State of Law said. "The visit contradicts international law and does not deserve a powerful state like France."
He urged the Iraqi government to express and convey its concerns over the reception "to the French government."
In the joint press conference with Barzani, Macron said that he had told Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi on October 5 that Hashd al-Shaabi and other militias in Iraq must be disbanded.
Maliki strongly criticized Macron’s call on Baghdad to disband Shiite militia groups, chief among them Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi, saying he should not “meddle” in the internal affairs of Iraq.
Maliki, who still wields immense power in Iraq, slammed Macron saying “France’s constitution enshrines that they should not meddle in the world countries’ affairs. But Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly meddled in Iraq’s internal affairs calling for the dismantling of a formal legal institution, the Hashd al-Shabai.”
Commenting on the mediation initiative taken by Macron to end the deadlock between the KRG and Baghdad, Saad Hadithi, spokesman of the Iraqi government said internal issues have to be resolved in Iraq, not outside.
"Rivalry with the Kurdistan Region is an internal matter and could be resolved through dialogue between the central government and the Kurdistan Region," Hadithi said.
However, he welcomed any "external attempt to end the crisis which came about in the wake of the unconstitutional referendum."
"Some countries want to create a suitable atmosphere to start dialogue," between Erbil and the federal government, he said.
The meeting between the Kurdish premier and the French leader is seen as part of international efforts to bring both Erbil and Baghdad to the negotiation table following the Kurdish vote on independence in September and the Iraqi military incursion into the disputed or Kurdistani areas in October.
Iraq has so far refused to commit to unconditional negotiations with the KRG despite the fact Erbil has offered to freeze the results of the Kurdish vote, and has respected a ruling from the Iraqi Federal Court that concluded the Iraqi constitution does not allow secession.
