PM Barzani, Iraqi PM Push for Constitutional Resolution
Peshawa Hawramani, spokesperson for the KRG, told Kurdistan24 that the visit marks an "important opportunity to advance a constitutional path forward."
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a visit widely seen as a pivotal moment in federal-regional relations, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani arrived in Erbil on Saturday, where he was received by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at Erbil International Airport. The trip comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve persistent political and financial disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Peshawa Hawramani, spokesperson for the KRG, told Kurdistan24 that the visit marks an "important opportunity to advance a constitutional path forward." He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region continues to demand adherence to the Iraqi constitution as the only viable framework for addressing the decades-long disagreements, particularly those relating to oil exports, budget entitlements, and public sector salary payments.
“The recent rounds of dialogue between the two sides have been constructive,” Hawramani said. “We believe dialogue and negotiations are the only way to find joint solutions.”
According to Hawramani, the Kurdistan Region views itself as a stabilizing force within Iraq and the wider region, provided its constitutional rights are safeguarded. He added that meaningful dialogue must be rooted in mutual respect and political will from Baghdad to uphold federal commitments.
Echoing this sentiment, Bassem al-Awadi, spokesperson for the federal government, told Kurdistan24 that Prime Minister Sudani’s trip was part of a "framework of dialogue and constructive engagement" aimed at resolving "critical issues between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region."
Al-Awadi stressed the federal government's commitment to pursuing consensus with all Iraqi political actors and institutions, adding that Sudani’s approach remains anchored in political inclusion and equitable power-sharing.
During his visit, Prime Minister Sudani is expected to hold closed-door meetings with President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. The agenda includes the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements, oil export resumption through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline, disputed territories, and mechanisms for future coordination.
Notably, Saturday’s talks in Erbil also addressed the controversial issue of the Kurdistan Region’s public sector salaries. Both sides underscored the urgency of delinking civil servant payments from political disagreements and reiterated the importance of upholding salary commitments in line with constitutional obligations.
This visit marks Sudani’s fourth to the Kurdistan Region since assuming office in October 2022. His last trip on November 13, 2024, included discussions with both top KRG executives and further cemented a channel of regular engagement between the two administrations.
Regional observers have characterized Sudani’s visit as a positive gesture signaling Baghdad’s readiness to institutionalize ties with Erbil based on mutual respect and the constitutional order. While major challenges remain—particularly in the areas of resource sharing and security coordination—the visit is seen as an important step toward easing tensions and fostering long-term federal-regional cooperation.
As political leaders in Erbil and Baghdad continue their deliberations, the Kurdish leadership has made clear that any future agreement must be anchored in the Iraqi constitution and reflect the unique federal status of the Kurdistan Region. Whether this latest round of talks produces concrete policy shifts remains to be seen, but the renewed momentum has raised cautious optimism across Iraq’s political spectrum.
