Kurdistan Region president meets with Iraqi officials, UN envoy in Baghdad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In an official visit to Baghdad on Wednesday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with leading Iraqi officials and the top United Nations (UN) envoy to discuss a wide range of topics and challenges faced by the Middle Eastern country and the autonomous federal region he represented.

Barzani had a private meeting as well with French President Emmanuel President Macron, who was also visiting the Iraqi capital. 

Read More: From Baghdad, Macron promises continued French support for Kurdistan Region 

In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Barzani addressed political and security developments in the nation, with the two agreeing “that cooperation and coordination between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army are crucial in confronting the threats of terror and the eradication of ISIS,” read a press release from Barzani’s office.

With regards to ongoing Baghdad-Erbil disputes, the two sides reaffirmed that it was “essential” that their two governments reach a “conclusive agreement” on all outstanding issues between them, which include oil, budget, and disputed territories.

Additionally, they touched on issues involving “Iraq’s sovereignty and protections of its borders.” 

‘Protection of government employees’ livelihoods’ 

Relations between the federal and regional governments also took the main stage during Barzani’s meeting with Iraqi President Barham Salih. Another statement read that they both stressed “the importance of protecting the livelihood of families and government employees in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region equally.”

Among others, President Barzani also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi and the leader of the National Wisdom (al-Hikma) Party, Ammar al-Hakim.

President Barzani meets with UNAMI 

In another part of Barzani’s visit, he conferred with Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

He “underscored UN’s significance and its contributions to the negotiation process between Erbil Baghdad,” a statement from Kurdistan Region’s Presidency noted.

It continued, explaining that Barzani “shed light on the latest report by the representative of the United Nations’ Secretary-General to the UN Security Council on the importance of implementing the constitution and the federal system in Iraq.”

The two also discussed “existing challenges facing Iraq and Kurdistan Region” including the coronavirus pandemic, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and upcoming Iraqi elections.

Editing by John J. Catherine