Barzani meets Iraqi PM in Baghdad for first time after Kurdistan referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday met with his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad, a source from Barzani's office said.

It is the first meeting between both Prime Ministers since relations between Erbil and Baghdad considerably deteriorated following the Kurdistan Region's Sep. 25 independence referendum.

Both sides discussed outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad, the source told Kurdistan 24.

The KRG and the Iraqi government have been locked in ongoing disputes since the referendum.

The historic vote received sweeping support for secession from Iraq, but Baghdad refused to recognize the results and instead responded by imposing collective punitive measures against Kurdistan, including the use of military force in disputed areas.

The KRG has shown its flexibility, offering to freeze the results of the referendum, but Baghdad demands a full annulment instead as a precondition before the start of dialogue.

Officials and leaders in the Region have often renounced violence and called on Baghdad to resolve all the outstanding differences with Erbil through dialogue.

Following his meeting with Abadi, Prime Minister Barzani is expected to fly to Tehran and meet with Iranian officials to discuss bilateral relations between Erbil and Tehran as well as normalizing ties between both sides following the Sep. 25 vote.

Updates to follow...