Iraq's al-Sudani meets Kurdish president Barzani in Baghdad to discuss cooperation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani met Wednesday with Kurdish Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Baghdad to discuss political, economic and security issues, the Kurdistan Region Presidency said. The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad and stressed the need to develop relations between the federal government and the regional administration. The meeting covered longstanding disputes between the two sides, including oil exports and budget sharing. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working in line with shared interests, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency released after the talks. Officials also said coordination on security matters would continue. The meeting took place in Baghdad as part of al-Sudani's official engagements.