PM Barzani holds high-level talks with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held a series of high-level talks with top Iraqi political leaders in Baghdad on Sunday during the second day of his visit to the Iraqi capital aimed at strengthening ties between Erbil and the new federal government.

On the second day of his visit, Prime Minister Barzani met with a wide range of influential Iraqi figures, including Nouri al-Maliki, Ammar al-Hakim, Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Qais al-Khazali, Qasim al-Araji, Ayad Allawi, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, Khamis al-Khanjar, and Humam Hamoudi.

According to statements from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the meetings focused on supporting Iraq’s new federal government, resolving long-standing disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, and strengthening political stability and cooperation.

The visit marks Prime Minister Barzani’s first trip to Baghdad since the formation of Iraq’s new government under Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. It comes amid ongoing financial disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, as both sides seek to stabilize relations after years of tensions over budget transfers, oil exports, and civil servant salary payments.

In his meeting with Barzani, Araji, the Iraqi national security advisor, praised the Kurdistan Region’s role in Iraq, saying, “We are proud of the Kurdistan Region, which has endured great struggle and sacrifice and has played a prominent role in establishing the current political system in Iraq,” read a KRG statement.

The two sides agreed on “supporting the new federal government to serve all components without discrimination” and resolving issues between Baghdad and Erbil “based on respect for the constitution, the federal system, and the constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region.”

During Barzani’s meeting with Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, both sides stressed “the need for joint work to face challenges, protect, develop, and correct the course of the political process based on respect for the principles of partnership, balance, national consensus, and the protection of the rights of all components,” according to a separate KRG statement.

Barzani’s office stated that during talks with Sudani, former Iraqi prime minister and the leader of the Building and Development Alliance, both sides emphasized “the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the political parties of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to solidify political stability.”

Prime Minister Barzani and Khazali, leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), discussed “supporting the federal government to resolve pending issues with the Kurdistan Region, improving public services, and advancing economic development opportunities in Iraq,” according to a KRG statement.

In separate meetings with former prime ministers Abdul-Mahdi and Allawi, the Iraqi leaders praised the Kurdistan Region’s role in post-2003 Iraq and highlighted the historical leadership of Masoud Barzani.

Abdul-Mahdi said Prime Minister Barzani’s visit to Baghdad “would play a positive role in resolving issues and bringing political parties closer through dialogue and understanding.”

Allawi said the people of Kurdistan had “played a prominent role in liberating Iraq from dictatorship and establishing the new Iraqi system.”

Prime Minister Barzani also met with Iraq's prominent Shiite cleric and politician Ammar al-Hakim, where both sides stressed the need to support the new federal cabinet “to confront various challenges and obstacles” and resolve disputes with the Kurdistan Region “within the framework of the constitution while respecting the rights of the people of Kurdistan and all components,” read a KRG statement. 

The KRG premier additionally held talks with Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani, tribal leaders and sheikhs, and a delegation from the Tasmim Alliance led by MP Amer al-Fayez.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently expressed optimism about relations between the KRG and the newly-formed Iraqi government.

“The relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad will improve,” Hussein told Rudaw last week, adding that officials are “all working for the success of this government so that it can serve the people of Iraq.”

Following the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet last week, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the Region’s “full readiness to work jointly with the federal government on the basis of the constitution, genuine partnership, and balance, with the aim of resolving all outstanding issues and ensuring and protecting the constitutional rights of all components.”

President Barzani conducted a visit to Baghdad earlier this month, meeting with the new Iraqi prime minister and senior politicians.