KRG welcomes Iraqi PM's call for 'national dialogue' to resolve longstanding issues

"On behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government, I welcome and support the invitation of Federal Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Iraqi parties to hold a national dialogue."
Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region. (Photo: Archive)
Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region. (Photo: Archive)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday welcomed a call by his Iraqi counterpart, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, for an inclusive national dialogue to resolve longstanding issues the country is facing.

Kadhimi's call for a “deep national dialogue” on issues including Baghdad-Erbil disputes came early Monday, right after a three-day visit by Pope Francis that ended.

Read More: Iraq’s premier calls for ‘national dialogue’ following papal visit

"On behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government, I welcome and support the invitation of Federal Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Iraqi parties to hold a national dialogue" to find lasting and sustainable solutions to all the issues facing the country, Barzani tweeted.

The Kurdish prime minister also expressed KRG's readiness to "reach a comprehensive and final agreement to solve all disputes" between Erbil and Baghdad "on a constitutional basis."

There have been pending disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government for many years, on top is the region’s share of the federal budget, Oil, and the disputed areas between the two sides.

In April 2020, the previous Iraqi government headed by Adil Abdul Mahdi decided to cut the region’s employees’ salaries, after it accused the region of not adhering to the agreement to deliver 250,000 barrels of oil per day to the Baghdad-owned SOMO.

Editing by Khrush Najari