Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani is poised to lead a high-profile delegation to Baghdad on Sunday, marking a significant effort to tackle longstanding issues between Erbil and the Iraqi capital.

Scheduled for separate discussions, President Barzani will engage with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and representatives from the influential Shia-led State Administration Coalition. These talks aim to address pressing matters, including the challenges surrounding the salaries of Kurdish public employees and the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through Turkey’s Ceyhan port. These issues have been contentious, necessitating collaborative efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions.

The forthcoming parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region will also feature prominently on the agenda. As preparations for the elections advance, ensuring their fairness and integrity remains a top priority for both regional and federal authorities.

Moreover, discussions will center on reaching a consensus between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government concerning the Region’s share of the national budget. Erbil has encountered obstacles in securing its rightful financial entitlements, with Baghdad facing accusations of violating constitutional provisions and destabilizing the Kurdistan Region’s economy.

The delegation’s visit underscores a concerted effort to address longstanding grievances and foster cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad. Both sides recognize the importance of resolving these issues for the stability and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole.