Iraqi PM-designate says had ‘good understanding’ with President Barzani
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi told Rudaw on Monday that he reached a “good understanding” with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani during their meeting in Baghdad, as talks to form a new federal government gather pace.
“There was a good understanding regarding the outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, and steps were taken to facilitate resolving them. The remaining and related issues, God willing, will be settled under this government,” he told Rudaw's Malik Mohammed.
“We discussed their participation (the Kurdistan Democratic Party) in the upcoming government, and they will take part strongly. Together, we will cooperate to run the country with all its components, nationalities, and sects,” added Zaidi.
The PM-designate also said that he will submit his cabinet to the parliament next week.
Regarding the outstanding financial issues between Erbil and Baghdad, Zaidi said that he will resolve Kurdistan Region’s salary issue. “All salary-related issues in the Region will be resolved. These are the salaries of the people and citizens, and it is not right for them to be delayed.”
Baghdad has failed to send the salaries of the Region’s civil servants on time and in full for years.
President Barzani on Monday held meetings with Iraq's key political leaders in Baghdad as negotiations over the formation of a new federal government continue.
He met with leaders of the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework, including Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, soon after arriving in the capital.
Barzani and the Shiite alliance’s discussions "focused on the political landscape in Iraq and initiatives to establish a new federal government. In this regard, there was a strong emphasis on forming a government that addresses current challenges and meets the expectations and needs of all Iraqi communities," said the Kurdistan Region Presidency in a statement.
Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, which is a member of the alliance, told Rudaw that there is "consensus" among all Iraqi political parties to expedite the formation of the next federal government.
Abbas al-Amiri, secretary-general of the Coordination Framework, told Rudaw’s Malik Mohammed regarding the content of the meeting between President Barzani and leaders of the alliance that “as always, the atmosphere in the presence of President Nechirvan was positive and constructive.”
He added that “optimism and mutual understanding prevailed in the meeting,” noting that a roadmap has been set for the future of relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as ties between the Coordination Framework and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Abbas al-Amiri also said it is expected that the new government will be formed “at the beginning of next week.”
The Kurdish leader later held a meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.
"The meeting addressed the political process in the country and the forthcoming steps necessary to form a new federal government. Both sides underscored the significance of continuing the political process based on partnership among communities, ensuring that the upcoming government enhances efforts to sustain stability and foster understanding among all parties," the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement.
Sudani's office said in a statement that the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region and "the importance of Iraq’s role in supporting regional and international stability in a way that strengthens the country’s sovereignty."
The visit comes at a critical juncture, as negotiations to form a new cabinet intensify ahead of constitutional deadlines. On Saturday, Zaidi traveled to the Kurdistan Region, meeting senior Kurdish officials in Erbil and Sulaimani as part of his government formation efforts.
President Barzani also held a meeting with Zaidi in Baghdad.
They "discussed the overall situation in the country and the importance of uniting efforts to form a national government that includes all Iraqi components and meets citizens’ aspirations. They also stressed the need to intensify work to meet the requirements of the current phase, which calls for enhanced coordination and cooperation among political forces, overcoming obstacles to strengthen stability, and finding solutions to all existing issues in accordance with the law and established constitutional frameworks," according to a statement from Zaidi's office.
President Barzani's office said the two also "recognized that this current phase demands high-level coordination and collaborative efforts among all political entities and parties to overcome challenges and move toward a more stable and prosperous future for the country."
Abdullah al-Zaidi, an advisor to the president and senior member of the al-Hikma Movement, told Rudaw's Halkawt Aziz in Baghdad that he expects the new government to be voted on in parliament early next week.
"Therefore, these visits, discussions, efforts to overcome obstacles between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and the formation of the government are all essential and important at this stage. We hope that this visit will lead to an agreement on the shape of the government, the size of representation, and the resolution of all the obstacles we have faced in the previous period between the Region and Baghdad," he added.
Barzani also met with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the al-Hikma Movement and Sunni leaders, including Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Taqaddum party.
“There was a good understanding regarding the outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, and steps were taken to facilitate resolving them. The remaining and related issues, God willing, will be settled under this government,” he told Rudaw's Malik Mohammed.
“We discussed their participation (the Kurdistan Democratic Party) in the upcoming government, and they will take part strongly. Together, we will cooperate to run the country with all its components, nationalities, and sects,” added Zaidi.
The PM-designate also said that he will submit his cabinet to the parliament next week.
Regarding the outstanding financial issues between Erbil and Baghdad, Zaidi said that he will resolve Kurdistan Region’s salary issue. “All salary-related issues in the Region will be resolved. These are the salaries of the people and citizens, and it is not right for them to be delayed.”
Baghdad has failed to send the salaries of the Region’s civil servants on time and in full for years.
President Barzani on Monday held meetings with Iraq's key political leaders in Baghdad as negotiations over the formation of a new federal government continue.
He met with leaders of the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework, including Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, soon after arriving in the capital.
Barzani and the Shiite alliance’s discussions "focused on the political landscape in Iraq and initiatives to establish a new federal government. In this regard, there was a strong emphasis on forming a government that addresses current challenges and meets the expectations and needs of all Iraqi communities," said the Kurdistan Region Presidency in a statement.
Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, which is a member of the alliance, told Rudaw that there is "consensus" among all Iraqi political parties to expedite the formation of the next federal government.
Abbas al-Amiri, secretary-general of the Coordination Framework, told Rudaw’s Malik Mohammed regarding the content of the meeting between President Barzani and leaders of the alliance that “as always, the atmosphere in the presence of President Nechirvan was positive and constructive.”
He added that “optimism and mutual understanding prevailed in the meeting,” noting that a roadmap has been set for the future of relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as ties between the Coordination Framework and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Abbas al-Amiri also said it is expected that the new government will be formed “at the beginning of next week.”
The Kurdish leader later held a meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.
"The meeting addressed the political process in the country and the forthcoming steps necessary to form a new federal government. Both sides underscored the significance of continuing the political process based on partnership among communities, ensuring that the upcoming government enhances efforts to sustain stability and foster understanding among all parties," the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement.
Sudani's office said in a statement that the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region and "the importance of Iraq’s role in supporting regional and international stability in a way that strengthens the country’s sovereignty."
The visit comes at a critical juncture, as negotiations to form a new cabinet intensify ahead of constitutional deadlines. On Saturday, Zaidi traveled to the Kurdistan Region, meeting senior Kurdish officials in Erbil and Sulaimani as part of his government formation efforts.
President Barzani also held a meeting with Zaidi in Baghdad.
They "discussed the overall situation in the country and the importance of uniting efforts to form a national government that includes all Iraqi components and meets citizens’ aspirations. They also stressed the need to intensify work to meet the requirements of the current phase, which calls for enhanced coordination and cooperation among political forces, overcoming obstacles to strengthen stability, and finding solutions to all existing issues in accordance with the law and established constitutional frameworks," according to a statement from Zaidi's office.
President Barzani's office said the two also "recognized that this current phase demands high-level coordination and collaborative efforts among all political entities and parties to overcome challenges and move toward a more stable and prosperous future for the country."
Abdullah al-Zaidi, an advisor to the president and senior member of the al-Hikma Movement, told Rudaw's Halkawt Aziz in Baghdad that he expects the new government to be voted on in parliament early next week.
"Therefore, these visits, discussions, efforts to overcome obstacles between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and the formation of the government are all essential and important at this stage. We hope that this visit will lead to an agreement on the shape of the government, the size of representation, and the resolution of all the obstacles we have faced in the previous period between the Region and Baghdad," he added.
Barzani also met with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the al-Hikma Movement and Sunni leaders, including Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Taqaddum party.