ERBIL — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Sunday spoke with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani over the phone to congratulate him on the occasion of Newroz, the Kurdish new year.

“During the call, Prime Minister Kadhimi congratulated PM Barzani on Newroz and the Kurdish New Year, and expressed his hopes the holiday would be a source of joy and optimism for the people of Kurdistan and Iraq,” an official readout from the KRG said.

“Prime Minister Masrour Barzani thanked Prime Minister Kadhimi for his warm wishes and stated his hope that the Kurdish New Year brings with it new opportunities for dialogue, peace, and prosperity in the region,” it added.

Kurdistan and Iraq have been in intensive negotiations for months over several issues, on top of all, the budget disputes.

While the budget bill for the fiscal year 2021 is still at the Iraqi parliament for approval, the KRG’s share from the federal budget remains one of the most difficult points to find a consensus.

However, with KRG’s demonstration of willingness to fulfill all its obligations within the Iraqi Constitutions, the Kurds hope that a common ground will be found to secure Erbil’s share.

BasNews