Iraqi government rejects reports of a high-level KRG delegation visiting Baghdad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Federal Government on Saturday rejected rumors that a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) was to visit Baghdad anytime soon.

Saad al-Hadithi, the spokesperson of the Iraqi government, told Iraqi news outlets that he was unaware of claims a KRG delegation was soon going to visit Baghdad, saying the statements were baseless.

He mentioned that for now, there are only holding meetings between committees from Erbil and Baghdad to resolve issues related to the KRG civil servants payroll.

Recently, local news agencies published reports claiming a KRG delegation led by the Kurdistan Region’s Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, would visit Baghdad to discuss issues pertaining to the deployment of Peshmerga, the export of oil, and other outstanding disputes between the two governments.

Hadithi also mentioned that Baghdad plans on sending an additional lump sum of money to the Kurdistan Region in April, to cover the salaries of KRG employees, but did not provide any further details.

He warned that disputes between Erbil and Baghdad would not be resolved 'after holding a few meetings,' but rather would require more time for both parties to come to an understanding.

Ties between Erbil and Baghdad considerably deteriorated following the Sep. 25 referendum in the Kurdistan Region, which saw a majority of voters favoring statehood.

Over the past few months, delegations from both sides have held meetings, including the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Diplomatic relations have warmed, but are still far from addressing deep-rooted issues.

Editing by Nadia Riva