President Masoud Barzani’s visit to Baghdad was “beyond positive”, the governor of Basra told The New Region on Thursday, after his meeting with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Leader.

“After the fall of the regime, President Barzani was part of the modern political process. There are many things in common between Basra and Erbil, from the days of opposition to the previous regime until the establishment of our democracy,” Governor Asaad al-Eidani told The New Region. 

Eidani further praised Barzani as one of the pillars of the Iraqi political process.

“It is necessary for these partnerships to grow, and decentralized administration is important. The existence of a relationship linking all of the Iraqi people is important,” Eidani said.

Addressing the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Basra, Eidani said “The current relationship is excellent and built on trust, enabling partnership in managing the country and preserving all the ingredients for success.”

Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday for the first time in six years and was received in the capital by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein before starting his two-day visit meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. 

#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

“We had a constructive and purposeful dialogue on various internal and regional issues,” 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.”

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 of diplomatic missions.

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

Barzani’s visit came at a time when the Iraqi and Kurdish governments are building ties following years of tensions, and his role as a mediator was praised by several Iraqi officials.