ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani’s regular trips to Baghdad sends messages of goodwill and promotes cooperation, according to a statement from Iraq’s premier after meeting with the Kurdish official in Baghdad. “The repeated visits of the President of the Region to Baghdad sends correct messages to all Iraqis, contributes to building confidence, indicates goodwill, stimulates a spirit of joint cooperation and coordination in all fields for the benefit of the country,” reads the statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s office, adding that the he will be visiting the Kurdistan Region in the near future. During the meeting, the leaders spoke of the recent passing of the 2021 budget law by Iraqi parliament, and Barzani stated that “solving the problems between Erbil and Baghdad will pave the way for stability and development of Iraq.” The current situation in Iraq, the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, Barzani's latest visit to France, the COVID-19 pandemic, approaches to vaccinations, the threat of terrorism and the Islamic State (ISIS) group, the global coalition’s prescence in the country, and Iraq's upcoming elections were some of the topics of discussion between Barzani and Kadhimi. “President Nechirvan Barzani reassured that the Kurdistan Region is ready to solve all its problems with the federal government in accordance with the constitution and the federal system, and work with all the different Iraqi sides for stability and peace in Iraq and the region,” reads a statement from Barzani’s office. Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to meet with the different Iraqi leaders. His visit comes at a time of optimism for smoother relations between Erbil and Baghdad after parliament approved the 2021 budget. The Kurdish leader has recently returned from an official trip to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. “The presence of the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, in Baghdad, and participation in these negotiations between the federal government and the US government is very necessary, because of the views Nechirvan Barzani presents,” Younis Hashim, a member of the Iraqi Islamic Party politburo told Rudaw’s Hawar Jalaladin on Saturday, describing Barzani as “a positive element in decision-making.” “Nechirvan Barzani's visit to Baghdad could be a new level when it comes to the relationship between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region, especially given that the visit comes after Nechirvan Barzani's visit to France and meeting with Macron recently,” Salam al-Zubaidi, a spokesperson to the Nasr coalition told Rudaw’s Rozhan Abubakir. The Kurdish President also met with President Barham Salih at Salam presidential palace. “During the meeting, the overall political, security and economic developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the region were discussed, and the need for convergence and dialogue between all parties was emphasized in order to support stability, ensure the security of citizens and meet their daily needs,” reads a statement from the Iraqi Presidency’s office. Barzani also met Iraqi parliament’s speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and the president of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who invited Barzani to the League’s headquarters in Cairo. Iraq’s parliament passed the 2021 budget in late March and Salih signed it into law on Thursday, after multiple postponements and months of wrangling, in particular over the Kurdistan Region’s share of federal funds and independent oil exports. On the other side of the budget hurdle, political leaders are now waiting for it to be implemented, but are optimistic of better ties between Erbil and Baghdad. On the security front, Baghdad and Washington had a meeting this week, the latest round of their strategic dialogue, in which the United States said it would move its remaining combat troops out of Iraq, as it focuses on training and advisory roles.
