SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani led a high-ranking delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to Baghdad to hold a number of meetings with Iraq’s top leaders on Wednesday.
“The Prime Minister will meet with the four Iraqi presidencies, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, President Latif Rashid, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan,” the KRG said in a statement.
The visit by Barzani is his first since Sudani formed the new Iraqi government.
“Back in Baghdad and ready to work with the new government to build a better, more prosperous future for our peoples,” Barzani tweeted.
Back in #Baghdad and ready to work with the new government to build a better, more prosperous future for our peoples -mb. pic.twitter.com/jRSOm8lC0p
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) January 11, 2023
The visit coincides with several issues and disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad that have existed for many years.
Issues and disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad have existed for many years. Photo: KRG
“The meetings will discuss the resolution of outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, on the basis of the constitution and the agreement of the parties to form the government and the ministerial agenda,” the statement added.
The KRG delegation’s visit to Baghdad is of the utmost importance to address the issues related to oil and the Region’s budget share for 2023.
In addition, the meetings will facilitate “development of cooperation and coordination between the two sides in order to face problems and obstacles and solve them.”
The meetings between the two will promote cooperation and coordination between Erbil and Baghdad. Photo: KRG
The dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad has been ongoing for years. The two sides have been unable to reach consensus on a range of issues, including disputed areas, oil and gas revenue, budget allocations, security and political matters.
