ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday received Iraqi Premier Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Erbil, discussing the resumption of the Region’s oil exports as well as bilateral relations.

Sudani landed in Erbil International Airport on Saturday noon, where he was received by the Kurdish premier, after the news of an unforeseen visit by the Iraqi prime minister broke late Friday night.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani said in a statement on Saturday morning that the meeting between the two premiers will hold discussions on “a number of subjects, including Kurdistan Region and Baghdad’s relations and the dossier of the resumption of the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports.”

Following the meetings, a statement from Prime Minister Barzani's office said that the two discussed "the latest developments in Iraq and the region" as well as the importance of cooperations in the face of challenges.

Both sides emphasized the need to resolve issues between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in accordance with the constitution and ensuring the provision of the Region's financial entitlements and rights, the statement added.

Sudani’s visit coincides with recent dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the resumption of Kurdistan Region’s oil through the Turkish Ceyhan pipeline.

However, the visit also comes amid tensions between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region over the salaries of the Region’s civil servants.

Shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Barzani, Sudani also met with former Kurdistan Region President and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Leader Masoud Barzani.

President Masoud Barzani and Sudani discussed bilateral relations, in addition to the "latest changes and developments on the [Kurdistan] Regional level" and across the wider area, read a statement by Barzani Headquarters.

A halt in the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports since March 2023, which came about as a result of Baghdad winning a case against Ankara in a Paris-based arbitration court that would have allowed Erbil to sell oil independent of Baghdad, has cost Iraq and the Region approximately 28 billion dollars to date.

In a phone call between Prime Minister Barzani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, both sides agreed “that reopening the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline immediately is crucial to protecting past U.S. investments and attracting future investment.”

Erbil and Baghdad have found themselves in a deadlock for a decade now over financial issues, notably salaries of the Kurdistan Region’s civil servants.

Years of conflict and unresolved issues between Erbil and Baghdad, and economic sanctions and pressure on Erbil by federal authorities, have pushed employees in the Region to live from paycheck to paycheck.

Sudani last visited Erbil in November 2024, where he discussed a plethora of topics with Prime Minister Barzani, including the Kurdistan Region’s October 20 election and the subsequent efforts toward the formation of a government in the Region.

Saturday’s visit comes days after Iraq announced that the country’s parliamentary elections will take place on November 11.