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).
