Iraqi Leaders Attend Kurdistan Presidential Inauguration, Call for Continued Dialogue

Several Iraqi leaders attended the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, in Erbil, calling for continued talks between Kurdistan Region and Iraq so to address the remaining disputes.

Iraqi President Barham Salih delivered a speech during which he encouraged Barzani to play an active role in strengthening the relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

He also valued the role of Masoud Barzani, the former president of Kurdistan Region. “Leaders are not valued based on their official posts. The role of Mr. Masoud [Barzani] in the future remains crucial,” Salih said.

A representative of the Iraqi Prime Minster, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, delivered his speech during the ceremony, saying that his cabinet is committed to partnership with Erbil so to serve the people of Kurdistan and Iraq.

Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of Hikma Movement, also congratulated the new president and said during his official speech that the ceremony in attendance of Kurdish and Iraqi leaders shows “a perfect picture” of Iraq with its different components.

“The people of Iraq are awaiting our efforts, which ultimately impacts their daily life. Whenever we distance from the principles of dialogue, we automatically endanger the lives of the people of Iraq,” Hakim said.