ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday received Mohamed Al Hasan, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), with the premier stressing the importance of respecting the Region’s federal status.

According to a statement from Barzani’s office, the two discussed “the latest developments and updates in the Kurdistan Region and the general situation in Iraq and the region.”

The pair emphasized “the importance of protecting and ensuring the constitutional rights” of Kurdistan Region’s citizens, and “respecting the federal status of the Kurdistan Region.”

Barzani echoed similar sentiments in a separate meeting on Tuesday with the French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel, stating that “as a federal region and based on the constitution and in a fair manner, the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region must be respected.”

He added “the budget share and legitimate financial entitlements must be sent without problems and obstacles.”

The meetings come amidst ongoing oil and financial disputes between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government.

During a panel discussion held at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in 2024, Hasan responded to concerns that the UN at times treats Iraq as a monolith, stating “Iraq is a mosaic—Kurds, Christians, Jews, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites. The question is how to turn that diversity into strength.”

“a stable and prosperous KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] will not only be in the interest of Iraq, but also the entire region,” said the UNAMI chief.

UNAMI is scheduled to end its mandate by December 31, 2025, after which the body will cease its operations in Iraq.

Reporting by Hevi Karam