ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, speaking at a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) rally in Duhok on Tuesday, said that the Region aims to become “a model of coexistence” in the Middle East, while also highlighting new projects underway to benefit citizens.

A key objective of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) ninth cabinet and PM Barzani has been to revitalize and diversify the Kurdistan Region’s economy and to promote economic independence.

“Our obligation is to serve the people of the Kurdistan Region. There have been many programs to expand the Kurdistan Region’s economy,” Barzani said during the campaign rally ahead of Iraq's federal parliamentary elections, with citizens set to cast their ballots on November 11. 

Barzani on Monday inaugurated a dual carriageway in Erbil’s Haji Omaran subdistrict near the Iranian border. The project, part of broader efforts to modernize the Region's road network to meet international standards, aims to boost trade and strengthen economic ties between the Kurdistan Region and Iran, with annual trade between the two being estimated at around $6 billion.

The premier reiterated the KDP’s commitment to serving all of Iraq’s components, including all minorities, in accordance with the teachings of KDP leader Masoud Barzani, saying that with the party's leadership, “the Kurdistan Region will become a model of coexistence across all of the Middle East.” 

The Kurdistan Region hosts a variety of ethnic and religious groups that have historically lived together in harmony, maintaining mutual respect even amid years of conflict and regional challenges.

“If you renew trust in us, our work is testament that we will also continue to serve you,” he stressed. 

“To advance toward a brighter and better future, we need to walk together. The KDP is not separate from you—the KDP is a part of you.” 

The Kurdistan Regional Government has launched multiple environmentally friendly projects, along with initiatives to boost the economy, support the private sector, and improve water and electricity access, marking significant progress after years of shortages.

Also speaking at the rally was Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, who emphasized the KDP’s commitment to defend Erbil's constitutional rights while criticizing Baghdad, saying, “The Kurdistan Region's constitutional entitlements have been violated, and federalism has been violated,” and emphasized the KDP’s aim “to uphold the constitution and federalism.”

A long-standing dispute between Erbil and Baghdad over oil exports and revenue-sharing has fueled budgetary tensions, leading to repeated penalties on the KRG, most recently in May when Iraq’s finance minister announced the suspension of funding for the Region’s civil servant salaries.

Despite the reaching of an agreement to resume the Region's oil exports and the disbursement of public salaries, Erbil's civil servants have yet to receive their dues for several months' of labor at the time of writing of this article.