President Nechirvan Barzani participated in the Martyr of Nation Day ceremony in Baghdad on January 21, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir Al-Hakim. Iraq’s President, Mr. Latif Rashid, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, Mr. Muhammad Al-Halbousi, Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr. Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani and a large number of government and party officials along with representatives of foreign countries attended the ceremony.
This is his full speech.
#Kurdistan Region President’s visit to Baghdad: pic.twitter.com/XhcZ9csdEp
— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) January 21, 2023
President Nechirvan Barzani also sat down in a separate meeting with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in Iraq and the ways to further strengthen coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq. The meeting also discussed joint works between the two sides, especially in the field of oil and gas law, the Iraqi budget and border protection efforts.
رحبتُ بـ @IKRPresident نيجيرفان بارزاني في @USEmbBaghdad لمناقشة توطيد وحدة إقليم كردستان العراق، وتنفيذ إصلاحات البيشمركة، وتعزيز العلاقات بين حكومة العراق وحكومة الأقليم، وتعزيز العلاقات الأمريكية العراقية. ان تعاون بغداد وأربيل ضروري لتحقيق النتائج المرجوة للعراقيين والمنطقة. pic.twitter.com/3fA54wDzLJ
— Ambassador Alina L. Romanowski (@USAmbIraq) January 21, 2023
In another meeting the President met with the United States Ambassador to Iraq Ms. Alina Romanowski at the US Embassy in Baghdad on the same day.
The meeting discussed Erbil-Baghdad relations and the latest developments in the talks between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides. In this context, both sides stressed the importance of resolving the issues for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and agreed that the resolution of the disagreements will contribute to stability in Iraq and the wider region.
For her part, Ms. Romanowski reiterated the US support for the dialogues and the efforts to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad and expressed her appreciation for President Nechirvan Barzani’s constructive role and efforts to resolve the pending issues.
Discussions also covered the developments in the Kurdistan Region and the importance of unity among Kurdistan parties. The reorganization and reforms of the Ministry of Peshmerga, the development of relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with the United States and expanding areas of joint cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest were also highlighted.