President Nechirvan Barzani Engages in Critical Discussions in Baghdad

High-Stakes Talks Aim to Resolve Financial and Political Stalemates between Erbil and Baghdad

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in meeting with top officials in Baghdad, Jan 12, 2025. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in meeting with top officials in Baghdad, Jan 12, 2025. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Jan 13, 2025

ERBIL (Kuridstan24) - In a significant diplomatic move, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Monday to engage in discussions with top Iraqi leaders about the major unresolved issues between Baghdad and Erbil. 

President Barzani's itinerary includes meetings with Iraqi President Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, along with key leaders from the Shiite and Sunni blocs. According to a Kurdistan24 correspondent, these talks aim to address longstanding disputes that have impacted bilateral relations.

The series of meetings began on Sunday when President Barzani met with representatives from the State Administration Coalition. A key focus of their dialogue was the financial entitlements owed to the Kurdistan Region, which includes the contentious issue of resuming oil exports from Kurdistan.

The discussions between Erbil and Baghdad are set against a backdrop of recurring financial and political disagreements that have strained relations. Central to these issues is Baghdad's intermittent suspension of salary payments to Kurdistan's public sector employees and the halting of oil exports from the region.

These disruptions have not only caused significant economic strain in the Kurdistan Region but have also led to broader concerns about the stability and autonomy of the region. The resolution of these matters is crucial for maintaining peace and economic stability across Iraq.

As President Barzani continues his negotiations in Baghdad, the outcomes of these discussions are eagerly anticipated by many who hope for a peaceful and equitable resolution to these long-standing disputes.