Al-Sudani arrives in Erbil for talks on oil, census, and new KRG cabinet

ERBIL — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani arrived in Erbil on Tuesday, marking his fourth visit to the Kurdistan Region since taking office. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani welcomed Al-Sudani at Erbil International Airport.

Shortly after his arrival, Al-Sudani was scheduled to meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani at the Kurdistan Region Presidency, where a welcoming ceremony was held.

The visit focuses on key issues, including the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports, the upcoming national census, and the formation of the new KRG cabinet following the region’s recent parliamentary elections. Talks are also expected to address the longstanding dispute over salary payments for KRG employees, a matter of continued tension between Baghdad and Erbil.

The discussions between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani focused on resuming oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, a critical economic issue for Iraq. “Both sides explored avenues to reestablish oil exports from the region, which is essential to Iraq’s overall economic stability,” Al-Sudani’s office said in a statement. They also addressed the implementation of a Federal Court ruling on government employee salaries in the Kurdistan Region, a contentious issue between the federal and regional governments.

The leaders emphasized the need for improved coordination on joint administrative files to better serve citizens nationwide and maintain political stability in the Kurdistan Region during its transitional period. Discussions also included forming a new KRG cabinet, with Al-Sudani expressing the federal government’s readiness to assist. “The federal government is prepared to support the establishment of a new regional government to ensure effective governance for the people of Kurdistan,” the statement added.

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met in Erbil to discuss strengthening mechanisms for coordination and resolving shared issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

“Both leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing mechanisms for joint coordination and resolving mutual issues through dialogue and adherence to Iraq’s constitution,” the statement said. They also underscored the need for continued discussions to foster cooperation and strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

The statement highlighted President Barzani’s appreciation for Al-Sudani’s support, as well as that of other Iraqi parties, in facilitating the recent elections in the Kurdistan Region. Barzani reaffirmed his commitment to advancing cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad in the coming period.

The two leaders also discussed preparations for the upcoming national population census, pledging to ensure its success as a key step toward improved governance and equitable resource allocation.

Al-Sudani’s agenda includes meetings with political parties that won seats in the parliamentary elections. In Erbil, he is expected to meet with representatives from the Islamic Justice Group, Halwest, Baray Gal, and minority communities. Later in Sulaymaniyah, Al-Sudani plans to hold discussions with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the New Generation Movement, and the Kurdistan Islamic Union.

This article has been updated