Politics

PM Masrour Barzani talks Erbil-Baghdad ties with UN official

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reiterated his cabinet's readiness to resolve outstanding issues in a way that best serves the interest of all Iraqi peoples.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/09/15 15:38

kurdistan Kurdistan Iraq UN Baghdad Erbil IDPs Outstanding issues

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, on Tuesday received in Erbil the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

In the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Iraq and the status of relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal Iraqi government.

Prime Minister Barzani stressed the need for Erbil and Baghdad to reach a constitutional solution to bilateral disputes, a point the Kurdish leader has emphasized in meetings with top Iraqi officials.

He also reiterated his cabinet's readiness to resolve outstanding issues in a way that best serves the interest of all Iraqi peoples.

The two sides also discussed mechanisms for holding the upcoming national parliamentary elections. Providing the appropriate environment for the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have taken refuge in the Kurdistan Region, to their homes was another topic Barzani and Plasschaert covered.

This comes days after intense rounds of talks between Iraqi and KRG officials after Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi traveled to the Kurdistan Region and sat down with top Kurdish leaders.

During his gathering with Kadhimi on Thursday, Prime Minister Barzani stressed the importance of arriving at a 'fundamental' solution for outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Nations Envoy also met with top Kurdistan Region officials in Erbil to discuss the upcoming elections, return of displaced Yezidis to their areas, and political developments in Iraq.

Outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal Iraqi government include the region's share of the national budget, the entitlements of the Peshmerga forces, the export of oil, and the disputed areas covered by article 140 of the Iraqi constitution.

Editing by Khrush Najari