Kurdistan Region PM Welcomes Basra Governor, Urges Greater Inter-Provincial Coordination
They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to respecting Iraq’s federal system and upholding the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region, as well as those of all Iraqi provinces and communities, stressing that federalism must be protected as a foundational principle of the Iraqi state.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday received Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani, with both sides emphasizing the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between Iraq’s provinces, particularly between the Kurdistan Region and Basra.
Prime Minister Barzani and Governor Al-Eidani underlined the need to strengthen ties and share experiences between regional and southern provinces, advocating for closer inter-provincial partnerships to improve governance, service delivery, and economic collaboration.
Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to respecting Iraq’s federal system and upholding the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region, as well as those of all Iraqi provinces and communities. They stressed that federalism must be protected as a foundational principle of the Iraqi state, ensuring equity and partnership across the country.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has long promoted a decentralized, federal system as outlined in the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, which formally recognized the Region’s autonomy. However, ongoing disputes with Baghdad over budget allocations, oil revenues, and administrative authority have strained federal-regional relations and tested the viability of Iraq’s federal model.
Basra, Iraq’s oil-rich southern province, has also voiced frustrations with centralized governance, particularly over a lack of service delivery and investment returns. Like the Kurdistan Region, Basra has increasingly called for more autonomy and a fair share of national wealth.
This visit by Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani to Erbil signals a growing desire among Iraq’s provinces to bypass political gridlock in Baghdad by fostering direct relationships and shared regional interests. The Kurdistan Region, with its relatively stable institutions and autonomous governance, is often viewed as a model for other provinces seeking greater local control.
The meeting underscores the importance of provincial cooperation in preserving Iraq’s unity through respect for federalism, mutual rights, and constitutional guarantees for all its components.
