Deputy Prime Minister Talabani meets with al-Abadi and al-Maliki, seeks firm solution to disputes with Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani met with former Iraqi Prime Ministers Haider al-Abadi and Nouri al-Maliki separately in Baghdad, to discuss ongoing issues with the federal government.

The Deputy Prime Minister visited al-Maliki, Secretary-General of the Islamic Dawa Party, and al-Abadi, leader of Iraq’s Victory Alliance, on Wednesday while heading a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation in Baghdad to meet with federal authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani and the Iraqi politicians exchanged views on the root causes of the problems between Erbil and Baghdad, and agreed these issues need a firm solution. They pointed out that some issues stem from a legal vacuum, especially in relation to the oil and gas sector.

Mr al-Maliki reminded the Deputy Prime Minister of the fundamental role the late President Jalal Talabani played in Iraqi affairs. He said the vacuum left by Mr Talabani's passing is one reason why Iraqi problems are becoming more complicated.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani shared KRG’s proposed solutions to the disputes. The politicians agreed to maintain this exchange of views in a bid to reach a deal on these issues.

The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by the KRG’s finance minister and its representative in Baghdad.