President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday for his first visit to the Iraqi capital in six years and met with Iraqi officials.

Barzani arrived in Baghdad and was received in the capital by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein before heading to start his two-day visit by meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. 

#KDP leader Masoud #Barzani was received by #Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein upon his arrival to #Baghdad on Wednesday#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/lMDxtYfv1s

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

“We conducted a constructive and purposeful dialogue on various internal issues and regional situations,” Sudani said in the meeting. “Certainly, we have made significant progress in building trust between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, overcoming many long-standing problems in accordance with the constitution and the law.”

#Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani received President Masoud #Barzani and his accompanying delegation in #Baghdad#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/oy5isXnsxb

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

Barzani shared Sudani's sentiments about the meeting.

“Our dialogue was constructive, addressing both internal and regional situations, and our viewpoints were identical. With God's permission, we will continue coordination and cooperation, reaffirming what we have always said: if good intentions are present, no problem is insurmountable,” he said.

My visit to #Baghdad aims to strengthen the efforts made by the Prime Minister and lead to a real breakthrough between the federal and regional governments, President Masoud #Barzani said during his meeting with the #Iraqi PM#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/e8n5fgR3VF

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

Barzani later met with the head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan.

Zidan referred to Barzani’s visit to Baghdad as “important and historic” and discussed the latest political developments in the country and the relations between the political blocs with him.

Photos show President Masoud #Barzani meeting with #Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council Chief Faiq Zidan in #Baghdad on Wednesday.#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/BNdQLblXok

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

President Barzani then met with leaders from the State Administration Coalition, which forms the current Iraqi government (of which the KDP is a member), before later holding meetings with a series diplomatic missions.

Photos from President Masoud #Barzani’s meeting with leaders of the State Administration Coalition in #Baghdad on Wednesday#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/2hsvwwQJPG

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

In his meeting with the US Ambassador Alina Romanowski, Barzani emphasized that their visit came after they saw honest intentions from the federal government to resolve issues and abide by the constitution.

President Masoud #Barzani met with #US Ambassador to #Iraq Alina #Romanowski on Wednesday during his visit to #Baghdad.#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/Wzklwz1ZTi

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

He further told the US Ambassador that the fate of global coalition troops in the country is a national matter and does not depend on one side alone, but rather the stability and interests of Iraq should be put into account.

Ambassador Romanowski expressed Washington’s support for Barzani’s visit and the development of Erbil-Baghdad relations.

Barzani also met with Elbrus Kutrashev, the Russian Ambassador to Iraq.

During the visit, both sides discussed the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, as well as political developments in Iraq.

Barzani told the Russian ambassador that the main reason for his visit to Baghdad and meeting Iraqi leaders was the “presence of will to resolve issues”.

In his meeting with President Barzani, Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Cui Wei expressed his country’s support for the resolution of Erbil-Baghdad issues as well as the new date for the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections.

President Barzani also met with the British and French Ambassadors to Iraq during his visit.

In his meeting with Barzani, UK Ambassador Stephen Hitchen said that the UK sees Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with great importance, especially in matters of economics, combating the threat of terrorism, and migration.

In his meeting with Barzani, UK Ambassador Stephen Hitchen said that the UK sees Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with great importance, especially in matters of economics, combating the threat of terrorism, and migration.

French Ambassador Patrick Durel discussed the relations between Paris and Erbil with President Barzani and expressed his country’s support for better relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Barzani then headed to the residence of the head of the National Wisdom Party Ammar al-Hakim, where he met with leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework.

Video footage of President #Masoud #Barzani attending a meeting with the leaders of the Coordination Framework in #Baghdad#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/pgLxJumMKN

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 3, 2024

“Mr. Masoud Barzani is of great importance in Iraq, especially since he is the leader of the Kurds,” Sami al-Jizani, member of the National Wisdom Party told The New Region. “This visit comes at a crucial time for the Middle East.

“It will definitely lead to collaboration with the government of Mr. Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani,” he added, addressing Barzani’s crucial role in the early stages of establishing the post-2003 Iraq.

Barzani is set to meet with a number of Iraqi officials on Thursday before his return to Erbil, including the country’s president, parliamentary speaker, governor of Basra, and Sunni leaders. 

Barzani’s visit was praised by Iraqi academics.

“Mr. Masoud Barzani is one of the founding fathers of this system,” Iraqi writer Hamza Mustafa told The New Region. “I believe that the visit is important both for the relationship between the two governments and the relationship between the political blocs.”