PM Abadi and Macron support dialogue for mending Erbil-Baghdad ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - After a meeting with Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani in Paris on Saturday, French President Emmanel Macron made a phone call to Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stressing his country’s unwavering stance on the territorial integrity of Iraq and urging dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to mend their ties.

According to a statement issued by Abadi’s office, Macron reiterated his country’s stance on the unity of Iraq and the imposition of Baghdad’s authorities over its land and border-crossings.

Abadi and Macron both echoed the significance of resolving issues between Erbil and Baghdad through dialogue and commitment to the constitution.

The Elysee Palace, however, has not released any statement with respect to the phone call.


According to Abadi’s office, the Iraqi premier expressed desire to distribute the country’s wealth in a just way and as per constitutional merits over the Iraqi nations.

The phone call came after Macron revealed during the press conference with Barzani that he was going to contact Abadi to push for dialogue.

Following a meeting between a Kurdish delegation headed by Barzani, Macron set the framework for a “national dialogue” between the Iraqi and Kurdish governments after the September Kurdish vote on independence. He said the dialogue, in light of the Iraqi constitution, must begin at the earliest time.