BAGHDAD, Iraq — Masrour Barzani visited the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Tuesday for the first time as the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) new prime minister, meeting with top officials to convey a message aimed at boosting political and personal spirits while discussing resolving outstanding issues.
Masrour Barzani and accompanying KRG ministers were first received by the Kurdish Iraqi President Barham Salih.
The President “stressed the importance of coordination in common visions and adopting the constructive language of dialogue in order to resolve all issues related to the federal government and [Kurdistan] Regional Government in accordance with the Constitution and the interests of people,” a tweet from Barham Salih read.
Barzani, who was sworn in by the Kurdistan Region parliament on July 10, has signaled that his administration wants to “develop a constructive and stable partnership” with Baghdad and leave behind past disputes.
“The Kurdistan Regional Government and parliament will form a negotiation team to negotiate with Baghdad and achieve the constitutional rights of our nation,” he told parliament after being sworn in as prime minister.
“The constitution will be the base of any negotiation between Erbil and Baghdad,” he added.
Abdul-Mahdi “stressed that the federal government welcomes the atmosphere of cooperation and understanding with [Kurdistan] Regional Government and local governments in order to bolster integration and resolve all issues in favor of all Iraqis under the Constitution and for the unity of our people and country,” read a statement from the Iraqi PM’s office.
Abdul-Mahdi is seen by Erbil as more open to their concerns than his predecessor. Barzani is set to address the outstanding issues concerning the disputed territories, independent oil exports and joint security in border areas where ISIS is active.
The Iraqi PM is under immense pressure from MPs, especially those of former PM Haider al-Abadi’s Nasr Coalition, to make the KRG either comply or reduce its budget share.
The KRG delegation includes new members of PM Barzani’s cabinet including Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, Peshmerga Minister Shorish Ismael, and parliamentarians from various parties.
Later, Barzani met with Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi, a Sunni politician who is the former governor of Anbar Province.
Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi (right) welcomes Masrour Barzani, the new prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, to Baghdad, Iraq, on July 16, 2019. Photo: Mohammed al-Halbousi
Halbousi hoped that Masrour Barzani’s government “goes forward to serve one unified Iraq, and to put forward a balanced and transparent speech to resolve all outstanding problems between the region and the federal government,” according to a readout from Halbousi’s office.
The speaker of Iraqi parliament also said that there is a “sincere intention in the House of Representatives to find solutions to all differences, and it will provide political and legislative cover for them and according to what was approved by the Iraqi Constitution, stressing his support to bring the views and resolve all differences to the best interest of Iraq.”
Barzani told Halbousi that his prompt visit to Baghdad is “an expression of sincere intentions to work to clear all problems in the spirit of brotherhood and national belonging,” according to the readout, adding that Kurdistan Region “is an important part of Iraq, and that the Kurdish people and political forces are a key partner in the process of the new democratic construction.”
In June after becoming Kurdistan Region President, Nechirvan Barzani visited Iraqi leaders in Baghdad to attempt to further mend and improve relations. Abdul-Mahdi and Nechirvan Barzani agreed to form two committees to set agendas for future talks.
“We have reached the final stages. All that is left is a visit from a high ranking KRG delegation to Baghdad to sign a final agreement as we have already spoken on all the issues,” Shakawan Abdulla, a former KDP MP and negotiator in Baghdad said at the time.
One of the most contentious issues is the KRG not handing over 250,000 barrels of oil per day to Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) in return for its share of the federal budget as stipulated by the 2019 budget law.
