A high-ranking delegation from the Kurdistan Region, headed by President Nechirvan Barzani, arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to hold meetings with senior Iraqi officials and party leaders.
According to Kurdish sources, the visit aims to find means to end disputes between Baghdad and Erbil.
Barzani met with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and the two discussed issues of common interest, most notably the Sinjar normalization agreement and the security situation in Iraq and the region.
According to a statement by the PM’s media office, the officials also discussed cooperation and integration among state institutions in the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), in addition to efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime.
They further discussed the health situation in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the surge in the number of infections, as well as the efforts exerted to provide health services and vaccines for Iraqis.
Kadhimi hailed the progress made in establishing internal constitutional mechanisms, citing the agreement on the Federal Court and the ability to pass the federal budget, the statement read.
He also expressed hope that the budget’s provisions are strictly applied and called for avoiding all that would prevent providing services to Iraqis.
The PM stressed the importance of enhancing security integration between Baghdad and Erbil to attain internal stability and prevent any gap that could be exploited by terrorists in disputed areas or elsewhere, the statement noted.
Barzani, for his part, praised Kadhimi’s efforts to resolve political, economic and diplomatic issues.
He pointed to the recent efforts by the Iraqi government, including the PM’s visits and meetings, that highlighted the country’s position and restored its pivotal role at the international and regional levels.
Barzani also expressed support for the government and for boosting Iraq’s status in a way that enables it to address all possible challenges.
The delegation members met with President Barham Salih and Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, as well as Head of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zidan, Head of the United Nations missions in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and several party leaders.
According to a statement by the Kurdistan Region’s presidency, parties discussed the budget and salaries issue in the region and developed a mechanism to implement and adhere to the agreed-upon procedures. The officials further discussed the early elections scheduled for October.
