ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani was received by Iraqi premier Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad on Saturday, with the former stressing the importance of resolving Erbil-Baghdad issues with "respect for the federal status of the Kurdistan Region."

Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday morning ahead to hold a series of meetings with top Iraqi officials, with the resolution of outstanding issues between the two government's being top of the agenda.

The Kurdish premier expressed "the Kurdistan Regional Government's [KRG] support for the success of [Zaidi's] government in serving all components and citizens of Iraq without discrimination," while also emphasizing "the importance of resolving the issues between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government in a fundamental manner and on the basis of the constitution and respect for the federal status of the Kurdistan Region," the KRG said.

For his part, the Iraqi prime minister "expressed his pleasure at the visit of the Prime Minister and emphasized that we are all partners in this country and that our goal is to resolve issues, reach agreements, and serve all citizens and components without discrimination," the statement continued.

"Both sides agreed on expanding cooperation and coordination between both the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve issues and overcome obstacles and challenges."

Zaidi's office added that the duo discussed "technical issues related to border crossings, the implementation of the ASYCUDA system, and oil companies operating in the Region."

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday met with Iraqi premier Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad, marking the former's first trip to the Iraqi capital since the latter's government was approved by parliament pic.twitter.com/0zClhKbXnX

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The visit marks the premier’s first official trip to Baghdad since the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet and his seventh visit as Kurdistan Region Prime Minister since taking office in 2019.

Zaidi's cabinet was approved by the Iraqi parliament on May 14, with 14 of 23 ministerial portfolios having thus far been filled. Barzani earlier congratulated Zaidi on his securing of legislative backing, expressing his hopes that his tenure will "witness a new era filled with security, stability, and peace."

Erbil has long bemoaned Baghdad's failure to adequately implement Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, which relates to disputed territories, and to rein in the activities of pro-Iran militias under the auspices of the Iraqi state that have repeatedly attacked the Kurdistan Region during the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The continued attacks have led several foreign oil and gas producers in the Kurdistan Region to halt production to protect their staff.

The Kurdish premier is also set to meet with Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi and Supreme Judicial Council chief Faiq Zidan during his Baghdad visit, The New Region has learned, as well as a number of key officials and party leaders listed below:

- Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai

- Sovereignty Alliance head Khamis al-Khanjar 

- Taqadum Party chief Mohammed al-Halbousi

- State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki

- National Coalition (al-Wataniya) leader Ayad Allawi

- Victory Alliance leader Haider al-Abadi

- Badr Organization chief Hadi al-Amiri

- Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) chairman Falih al-Fayyadh

- Former Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi

Updated at 14:24 with Iraqi PMO statement