President Barzani meets with Iraqi officials in Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday, meeting with the chief of Iraq's Federal Supreme Court and the president of the Supreme Judicial Council. A meeting between the Kurdish leader and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani is underway.

President Barzani and Jassim al-Umairi, the head of Iraq's Federal Supreme Court “discussed matters related to the Constitution, peace and stability, and the overall well-being of the country, addressing various issues concerning the current state of affairs in Iraq,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region President. 

President Barzani also met with Faiq Zidan, president of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council. 

Their discussions “touched upon President Nechirvan Barzani’s recent visit to Tehran and his engagements with the leadership and high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They exchanged views on the current progress in negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad aimed at finding solutions to existing issues,” said the Kurdistan Region Presidency in a separate statement. 

A meeting between Barzani and Sudani is undeway.

Dilshad Shahab, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, said earlier on Tuesday that Barzani would “discuss the Erbil-Baghdad relations and common issues” with Iraqi authorities. 

President Barzani will also discuss other pressing issues between Baghdad and Erbil such as the resumption of Kurdish oil exports, the Kurdistan Region’s share in the federal budget as well as the payment of the salaries of the Region’s civil servants, according to Shahab.

The visit is President Barzani’s third to the Iraqi capital since April.

Last month, President Barzani paid two separate visits to Baghdad, where he met with Sudani and other Iraqi officials and leaders. The president also attended the meeting of Iraq’s ruling State Administration Coalition.