President Barzani continues Baghdad talks on second day of visit

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday held a new round of meetings with Iraqi politicians, diplomats, and lawmakers as part of his ongoing visit to Baghdad, where efforts to form a new federal government remain underway.

After arriving in the capital on Monday, President Barzani met with key Iraqi political leaders, including figures from the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework and Sunni blocs, amid continued negotiations over government formation.

On the second day of his visit, Barzani – in his capacity as president of the Kurdistan Region and first deputy leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) – expanded his engagements.

He began by meeting a number of Christian lawmakers at the federal parliament.

"Their discussions focused on the situation of Christians and the political representation of communities. President Nechirvan Barzani highlighted that Christians are an indigenous people in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing the importance of their historical and civilizational contributions," said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

Barzani stressed the importance of Christian participation in the next Iraqi cabinet. The lawmakers thanked the Kurdish leader for his "steadfast commitment to safeguarding the rights of all communities and upholding pluralism and unity within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq," the statement added.

Later, Barzani met with Irfan Siddiq, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Iraq.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency said the meeting "focused on the political landscape of the country, the necessary steps to form the new federal government, and President Nechirvan Barzani’s visit and meetings with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad. They also addressed the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region and broader regional developments."

Siddiq said his country "places significant value on its relationship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming its commitment to providing ongoing support," the statement read.

Barzani also visited Shiite politician Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and met with Faiq Zidan, president of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council. 

Khazali described the timing of Barzani’s visit as “important,” saying it reflected the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s willingness to join the government, despite some reservations that were discussed with the Coordination Framework. “There were understandings on most of these issues,” he added.

He further noted that President Barzani is “highly respected” in Baghdad and is "widely relied upon to help forge common ground" between Baghdad and Erbil.

According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency, President Barzani and Zidan emphasized that the judicial authority is “the foundation for safeguarding the state and its institutions, ensuring stability, and protecting the rights and entitlements of all.”

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Zidan, Barzani said the Kurds would need to find “a framework to work together,” adding that they "may not be able to visit Iraqi President" Nizar Amedi, but “God willing, we will resolve this issue as well.”

President Barzani said that, across his meetings on Monday and Tuesday, responses from Iraqi parties regarding the Kurdish leadership’s demands for the next Iraqi government were “very positive.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed Daham al-Fahdawi described President Barzani’s visit as a "decisive" one.

"Certainly, Barzani has a strong popular base. He is an experienced and capable politician with a distinguished track record. It was necessary for him to come to Baghdad to ease tensions and to play a decisive role. Undoubtedly, he will not leave Baghdad until an agreement is reached," he told Rudaw's Hiwa Jamal.