BAGHDAD, Iraq — Masrour Barzani went 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 to boost political and personal spirits while discussing resolving outstanding issues.

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.

Barzani is set to meet with the Iraqi three presidencies: President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi.

“They will discuss all the issues,” Bengin Rekani, Iraq’s Minister of Housing and Construction, told Rudaw on Tuesday.

He added that Barzani's first visit as PM to Baghdad was sending a strong message.

“We are hopeful that the issues will be resolved,” said Rebar Ahmed, the KRG interior minister said.

The PM from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has gone so far to say that the current priority now is better relations with Baghdad, not independence.

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 KRG delegation is expected to include new members of PM Barzani’s cabinet including Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, Peshmerga Minister Shorish Ismael, and parliamentarians from various parties.

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 and what is left is the just 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.

Abdul-Mahdi 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.

Rudaw