President Barzani, PM Sudani discuss Erbil-Baghdad ties, regional developments
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Sulaimani Forum 2025, where the two officials discussed political developments in Iraq, Erbil-Baghdad ties and evolving regional events.
A statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency quoted President Barzani as emphasizing 'the importance of guaranteeing the constitutional rights and entitlements of the Kurdistan Region,' as well as Erbil's 'commitment to consolidating constructive cooperation with the federal government [in Baghdad] to enhance understanding and partnership between the two sides.'
The meeting also focused on 'the political and general situation' in Iraq and the 'shared issues' between Erbil and Baghdad and the need to 'strengthen cooperation among national forces to protect security and stability, in a way that serves national unity.'
A statement from the Iraqi prime minister's office also reported that President Barzani and PM Sudani discussed 'the political situation in the country,' emphasizing the importance of continuing Erbil-Baghdad coordination.
It cited the two sides as stressing 'the importance of ensuring constitutional rights for all components and enhancing cooperation among all national forces to maintain the country's security and stability.'
President Barzani and PM Sudani additionally reviewed 'regional and international developments and their impact on Iraq,' highlighting 'the importance of sidelining the country from conflicts and backing efforts that promote dialogue and peaceful solutions to regional crises.'
Earlier in the day, the two top officials participated in the ninth edition of the Sulaimani Forum which brought together high-level leaders, diplomats, and policy experts to discuss the evolving role of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
In a speech he delivered at the forum, President Barzani had thanked PM Sudani 'for his commitment to strengthening ties between Erbil and Baghdad' and urged the prompt 'implementation of Article 140 in the Iraqi constitution.'
Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution details steps to resolve a dispute between the federal and regional government who both claim jurisdiction over disputed areas of the country, such as Kirkuk province. Successive federal governments have failed to implement the article.
'I would like to stress the importance of promptly implementing the law concerning the restitution of property and reactivating the committee responsible for executing Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution,' the Kurdistan Region President affirmed.
Speaking at the forum as well, PM Sudani noted that, 'For the first time, the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil is shifting from [one marred with] political disputes to a technical, political dialogue,' referring to the evolving ties between the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraq Business
2 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq Advances Legal Framework for Development Road Project
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the legal framework governing the Development Road Project and its associated initiatives. The Prime Minister received a detailed briefing from the project team on legal and technical requirements, including construction standards and operational procedures. He emphasised the need to urgently finalise comprehensive management and operations models that align with modern technologies and international best practices. A specialised committee has been formed to draft the legal frameworks, working in coordination with US-based consultancy Oliver Wyman, which is supporting the project as an advisor. (Source: PMO) Tags: cg, development road project, featured, Oliver Wyman, United States
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
IRGC's Qaani: No one dares wage war against us
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani dismissed the prospect of war against Iran, ridiculing previous threats made by US President Donald Trump. Qaani pointed to a recent social media post by US President Donald Trump in which he stated, 'If you don't fire missiles, we won't fire missiles either,' portraying the message as a sign of weakness and a humiliation for Washington. Addressing the broader regional context, Qaani underscored that the Islamic Republic is not seeking conflict, but added that 'no one dares to wage one against us.' He also described Tehran's current approach to diplomacy as rooted in 'wisdom and prudence,' while emphasizing that Iran no longer treats negotiations as a necessity, contrasting it with earlier phases of its foreign policy. Shifting the focus to military development, Qaani highlighted what he described as significant progress in Iran's defense capabilities over the past six months, characterizing the pace as 'remarkable.' He also issued a warning to Israel, which he accused of failing to overcome regional resistance forces despite backing from the United States and NATO. His remarks referenced the recent 66-day conflict with Hezbollah, presenting it as evidence of Israel's limitations. Separately, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami reinforced the message of readiness. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he stressed Iran's capacity to respond to hostilities 'at any level,' cautioning that 'the enemy should not make any miscalculations.' He further affirmed that the country remains prepared for 'any scenario and any conditions.' The statements come amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington following the near breakdown of nuclear negotiations and renewed speculation over a potential military confrontation. On Wednesday evening, Reuters, citing Iraqi and American sources, reported that the United States had begun evacuating diplomats and personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and multiple locations across Gulf countries in fear of an Israeli escalation against Tehran.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Diplomacy key to de-escalating US-Iran nuclear standoff
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed Baghdad's support for nuclear negotiations between Washinghton and Tehran, warning that rising tensions could undermine the chances for a peaceful resolution. His remarks, released by the PM's media office, followed a meeting in Baghdad with ambassadors and heads of Arab diplomatic missions. During the gathering, al-Sudani highlighted Iraq's commitment to facilitating diplomatic efforts that contribute to broader regional security, emphasizing that continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain ''crucial.'' He expressed Iraq's support for 'a fair and balanced approach' to US–Iran negotiations that would lead to 'positive' outcomes, affirming the continued commitment to fostering agreements that enhance regional stability. The PM's statement come just days ahead of the sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. In preparation, White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to review Tehran's position on Washington's latest nuclear proposal. Although Iran has not yet provided a formal response, the US official indicated that the discussions are 'increasingly likely to proceed as planned.' Regarding the Palestinian Cause, al-Sudani identified the unresolved issue as a primary driver of instability across the Middle East, pointing to the war in Gaza as a significant flashpoint, and cautioning that ongoing military operations risk triggering a wider confrontation. He also urged the international community to increase efforts to prevent what he described as 'extensive civilian suffering in Gaza.' Since the war's onset on October 7, 2023, Gaza's Health Ministry has documented
