Araji and Prime Minister Barzani discussed “the latest developments, changes, and Iraq’s general security situation, with emphasis on developing cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] and the federal government to protect security and stability,” the KRG said in a statement.
They also stressed the importance of adhering to the Iraqi constitution to resolve issues between Erbil and Baghdad, according to the statement.
Araji then headed to Erbil province’s Pirmam to meet KDP leader Barzani, where the two “discussed the political situation and the latest security developments in the region.”
“They also exchanged views on relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government, and ways to resolve differences and outstanding issues between the two sides,” the statement from the KDP leader’s office added.
Araji arrived in Erbil on Wednesday and met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, where the two notably discussed the “latest effort and steps” in the peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state.
His visit comes days before the first batch of PKK fighters - estimated at 30 to 40 individuals - is set to disarm in the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province - where the PKK has its headquarters in the Qandil Mountains - on Friday.
The move marks a major milestone in the months-long peace initiative aimed at ending the four-decade conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state that has claimed more than 40,000 lives - mainly PKK fighters.
The ceremony also comes as the PKK responded to a February appeal from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution. In a pivotal video message, recorded on June 19 and released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the end of the military campaign.
