Baghdad, Erbil- Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stressed the importance of cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil in order to face the Iraqi challenges in various fields.

They both expressed their hope to reach solutions with regards to the accumulated problems between them within a short term.

“The purpose of the talks with the Kurdistan Region delegation was to support those fighting to liberate the Iraqi territories from ISIS,” said Abadi. He also added that the federal government in Baghdad supports political, economic and security stability in Kurdistan Region and shows full respect to all political forces.

For his part, Barzani stated that the visit indicates full support to Abadi and an intention to agree upon all unsettled matters. Barzani added that the economic crisis and the issue of oil and gas were tackled with the Iraqi Prime Minister.

MP Mohammed al-Karbouli told Asharq Al-Awsat that the U.S. President Barack Obama invested in a smart way the need of these two parties to each other in addition to the peaceful policy adopted by Abadi which allows him to be the man of the transitional phase.

Saad Hadisi, spokesperson of Prime Minister Abadi, also informed Asharq al-Awsat that the meeting was positive and fruitful, where both parties showed determination to solve problems. Hadisi added that the convening parties emphasized on the importance of dialogue between the federal government and Kurdistan Region government and the necessity of cooperation between the two to combat security and economic challenges.

“The major topic in Barzani’s meetings with political and executive officials in Iraq is ways to develop Erbil-Baghdad relations,” said Barzani’s Media Advisor Kifah Mahmoud to Asharq Al-Awsat.