KDP President Masoud Barzani, Iraqi PM Sudani Meet in Pirmam to Discuss Bilateral Ties
Pirmam, Kurdistan Region – President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani on Saturday in Pirmam, focusing on political developments and efforts to strengthen relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
The meeting, which took place amid ongoing negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government, addressed key disputes, including budget allocations, oil exports, and constitutional issues.
Discussions on Political Developments
According to a statement from Barzani’s office, the two leaders reviewed the current political situation in Iraq and recent regional developments. They emphasized the importance of coordination among Iraqi political parties to address ongoing challenges and crises.
Both sides stressed that dialogue and cooperation remain essential to resolving long-standing disagreements between the KRG and Baghdad.
Focus on Federal-KRG Relations
The talks come at a critical time, as Erbil and Baghdad work to ease tensions following years of disputes over:
Budget shares and financial entitlements for the Kurdistan Region.
Oil export revenues, particularly after the halt of KRG crude shipments through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline in March 2023.
Constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region within Iraq’s federal system.
A Step Toward Strengthening Ties
Sudani’s visit to Pirmam follows his arrival in Erbil earlier on Saturday, where he was received by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. The back-to-back meetings signal a renewed push for practical solutions to the political and financial disputes that have strained federal-regional relations.
While no immediate breakthroughs were announced, the discussions reinforced the commitment of both sides to continued dialogue. Observers see the engagement as a positive step toward stabilizing Iraq’s political landscape and ensuring the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights are upheld.
The KRG has repeatedly called for adherence to Iraq’s constitution as the basis for resolving disputes. Meanwhile, Baghdad has expressed willingness to find mutually acceptable solutions through negotiations.
This meeting marks Sudani’s latest effort to engage with Kurdish leaders since taking office in 2022. His previous visits have helped establish a more structured dialogue, though major challenges remain unresolved.
As discussions continue, both sides face pressure to deliver tangible outcomes, particularly on issues like public sector salaries and oil revenue sharing. The renewed diplomatic push has sparked cautious optimism, but lasting solutions will depend on sustained political will from both Erbil and Baghdad.
