A presidential advisor reveals Nechirvan Barzani’s messages during his visits to Baghdad
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi political arena has recently witnessed a noticeable increase in the movements of the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, internally and externally. He visited Baghdad repeatedly and held a series of important meetings with Iraqi officials. He also went to the Iranian capital, Tehran, on a visit described as “historic,” during which he met With senior officials there.
As soon as he returned to Erbil, a few days later he headed towards the capital, Baghdad again, where he met with the presidents of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Federal Supreme Court, after which he held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Federal Government, Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani.
In conjunction with Barzani’s presence in the federal capital, a Kurdish delegation headed by the Minister of Finance and Economy of the Kurdistan Regional Government arrived in Baghdad yesterday evening, Tuesday, to discuss amendments to the budget law, specifically those related to the region’s share.
Those concerned believe that Barzani’s repeated visits to Baghdad carry several messages and implications, the most prominent of which is the convergence of viewpoints to untie the knot of issues that have been stuck between Baghdad and Erbil for years without resolution, as well as an emphasis on the region’s constitutional and legal rights.
In this regard, Kurdistan Regional Presidency Advisor, Khairy Youzani, told Shafaq News Agency, “We can say that this visit and previous visits by the President of the Kurdistan Region to Baghdad contributed to reopening channels of dialogue and communication between Erbil and Baghdad, after a period of tension and escalation.”
He added, “The visits also discussed a number of important outstanding issues between the two sides, such as the financial file, the situation in the Kurdistan Region, and other joint files.”
He points out that, “In general, they are positive visits and call for optimism about the future of relations between the two parties, but the matter requires diligent follow-up by both sides to translate their results into reality and achieve tangible progress in resolving the outstanding issues.”
Youzani confirms that “the visits and discussions focus on dialogue with the Iraqi government to resolve outstanding disputes, especially financial ones, such as the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees. The President of the Region also seeks to affirm the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region, including its right to self-determination and management of its natural resources.”
He explains that “the visits also aim to strengthen economic cooperation with the Iraqi government and attract investments to the Kurdistan Region. The President of the Region also focuses on the necessity of finding joint solutions to issues of concern to the Kurdish and Iraqi peoples, such as security and combating terrorism. He also shows his commitment to resolving differences with Baghdad through dialogue.” and peaceful negotiations.
Regarding the messages that the Regional President wants to deliver through these visits, the Regional Presidency Advisor states, “I think that what the Regional President wants is to send a message that the Kurdistan Region is an essential partner of the Iraqi government, and that cooperation between them is necessary to achieve stability and prosperity in Iraq as a whole, especially since in every He once emphasized the region’s commitment to the Iraqi law and constitution, and he also wants to tell Baghdad that the Kurdistan Region is a stable, safe and attractive region for investment, and that it is striving to achieve development and prosperity for its people.
For his part, political affairs researcher Yassin Aziz, speaking to Shafaq News Agency, believes that “this is the beginning of a new phase and there is a decision by the Kurdish leadership and the president of the region for his presence to be continuous and frequent in Baghdad, as we witnessed two visits to him last month and this visit is also important.” “Especially after his successful visit to Iran.”
He continues, “I imagine that the repeated visits of the President of the Region to Baghdad and his meetings, whether party, political, or governmental, with officials give a good motivation and a strong incentive to address the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.”
Regarding the agreements between the two sides, Aziz says, “There are political and administrative agreements, whether between parties or governments, so I imagine that the implementation of previous agreements and commitments will be sufficient to address the issues and there will actually be a sustainable treatment and removal of all issues and dismantling of all crises and complexes that existed between Erbil and Baghdad from time to time.” “.
He points out that “there is a special tendency among the President of the Region, and we heard him repeatedly say that the Region has begun to consider that its depth is in Baghdad and that the solutions must be with Baghdad and in it, and the continuous and strong presence of the President of the Region in Baghdad gives us the impression that the Kurdish leadership and the person of the President of the Region have an intention to be actively present.” And removing any misunderstanding or crisis that the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad is going through.”
The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, visited Baghdad on April 27, and held discussions with Federal Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani. He also met with the President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, and many leaders of Shiite and Sunni political parties and blocs.
He also participated in both the coordination framework meeting of the Shiite parties, and the regular meeting of the state administration coalition, which continued until late at night, and Barzani stressed the region’s serious desire to resolve the disputes and outstanding issues with the federal government in accordance with the provisions of the country’s permanent constitution.
From Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, Barzani headed on May 5 to the Iranian capital, Tehran, on his fifth visit in 11 years, where he met with the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, and senior Iranian political leaders, and Barzani returned on the same day. Yesterday, Tuesday, he visited the capital, Baghdad again.