Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today received the Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Maxim Maximov, to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional developments.

During the meeting, both sides emphasised the desire to further explore and strengthen areas of cooperation, notably investment opportunities and trade between the Kurdistan Region and Russia.

The Prime Minister highlighted issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government and their effect on the stability of the region, stressing that federal service wages and financial entitlements to the region should not be used as political leverage nor to harm the people of Kurdistan. He reiterated that the Kurdistan Region stands ready to hold meaningful dialogue with Baghdad to resolve issues on the basis of the constitution.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to stress with the Russian envoy the importance of implementing the Shingal agreement, which would help normalize the situation in that area and facilitate the dignified return of refugees to their ancestral homes.