Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani will visit Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, for discussions with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Jalal Talabani, following their recent productive meeting in Baghdad on April 10.
Recent High-Level Discussions in Baghdad
According to Suzan Mansour, spokesperson for the PUK faction in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Prime Minister al-Sudani’s upcoming visit to Sulaymaniyah was confirmed through an announcement to PUKMEDIA, the official PUK website. This visit follows a series of important meetings that President Talabani held in Baghdad last week.
During his recent visit to Baghdad on April 10, President Talabani met with Prime Minister al-Sudani to discuss regional developments and the importance of shielding Iraq from escalating tensions. A key focus of their talks was finding comprehensive solutions to ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. President Talabani emphasized that political disagreements should not impede the payment of salaries and financial entitlements to Kurdistan Region employees. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to constitutional principles and prioritizing public services across both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
PUK’s Diplomatic Engagements with Iraqi Political Forces
While in Baghdad, President Talabani also held strategic meetings with several influential Iraqi political leaders. His meeting with Muthanna al-Samarrai, leader of the Azm Alliance, was attended by PUK Political Bureau member Nizar Amedi and Federal Justice Minister Khalid Shwani. Discussions centered on challenges facing Iraq’s political process and regional issues, emphasizing the need for coordination among political forces to maintain stability. They also addressed the importance of creating suitable conditions for fair and transparent legislative elections, while safeguarding the rights of all Iraqi communities in accordance with constitutional principles.
President Talabani’s diplomatic agenda included a significant meeting with Hadi al-Amiri, Leader of the Fatih Alliance. Both leaders stressed the value of constructive dialogue among political factions to address ongoing challenges and protect Iraq from regional conflicts. They committed to resolving issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad constitutionally while protecting all parties’ rights. President Talabani highlighted the importance of reviving dialogue between political parties and honoring existing agreements, noting that current circumstances demand collective decisions focused on broader national objectives. The leaders also discussed the scheduling of Iraqi parliamentary elections, emphasizing the desire for free and transparent elections that genuinely reflect the people’s will.
PUK’s Balance Policy and Constitutional Commitment
In a meeting with Iraqi President Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, President Talabani discussed political, security, and economic developments in Iraq and the broader region. Both leaders affirmed their shared vision and support for a national initiative to overcome current challenges. They also addressed the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iraq, expressing commitment to fair and transparent elections that would strengthen national partnership and improve service delivery to citizens.
During this meeting, President Talabani emphasized the PUK’s balanced approach, stating, “The PUK pursues a policy of balance, and prioritizes maintaining security and stability to safeguard the rights of all sides.” He also expressed gratitude to President Rashid for his ongoing attention to issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, particularly regarding salaries and financial entitlements for the Kurdistan Region.
The Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Sulaymaniyah represents a continuation of these high-level diplomatic efforts to address outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region.
