Iraqi Economic Council to meet with PM Barzani on Saturday

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Economic Council met in Erbil on Friday, chaired by Iraqi Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Saturday with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

The meeting is anticipated to focus on shared concerns between Erbil and Baghdad, with the aim of resolving financial challenges.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Barzani chaired a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers session, which included Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The Cabinet discussed preparations for the upcoming special meeting of the Federal Ministerial Economic Council in Erbil, set to address unresolved issues between the KRG and the Iraqi government.

In a statement on Wednesday, the KRG Council of Ministers expressed optimism about the talks, emphasizing the significance of the meeting as a platform for direct dialogue between ministers from both governments. “The Council of Ministers warmly welcomes the holding of this meeting in Erbil, and the KRG views it as an important opportunity to address serious unresolved issues between the KRG and the Iraqi government in all sectors,” the statement read.

The KRG Cabinet also instructed the Secretary of the Council of Ministers, along with other key officials, to coordinate preparations with both the KRG’s representation in Baghdad and the Secretariat of the Federal Economic Council. The KRG stressed that any resolution must respect the powers outlined in the Iraqi constitution, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the two governments to enhance citizens' livelihoods across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region.

The meetings are seen as crucial to advancing economic cooperation and resolving long-standing issues affecting both regions.