Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Barzani welcomed the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki and his cabinet today in Erbil, just ahead of a scheduled Council of Ministers meetings here in Erbil. During the meeting both President Barzani and Prime Minister Maliki spoke of the neccessity of resolving the outstanding issues between the Region and the Federal Government in Baghdad.

The brief meeting between President Barzani and Nouri al-Maliki was followed by a press conference during which the President hoped that this visit which he described as "crucial" would be the start of the process of resolving the issues between Baghdad and Erbil.

The President also stated that the meeting between the two resulted in an agreement to expedite the issues, in accordance to the previous agreements which were agreed upon by the two sides. Prime Minister Maliki emphasized on the importance of cooperation between the two sides to resolve the disputed issues between the Region and Baghdad.