Iraq
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (left) and Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani (right) before their meeting in Baghdad on May 30, 2024. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday arrived in Baghdad and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and other senior officials to discuss a range of topics including pending Erbil-Baghdad issues.
Barzani and Sudani held a meeting in Baghdad, discussing pressing issues between the regional and federal government.
"During the meeting, they discussed the general situation across Iraq and a number of national issues and files. The discussions also covered the government's measures in the fields of services and the economy, aiming to achieve sustainable development that benefits all citizens throughout Iraq," read a statement from Sudani after his meeting with Barzani.
"The meeting further addressed shared files, with both parties emphasizing the importance of continuing meetings and constructive dialogue to resolve issues in accordance with the law and the provisions of the constitution, ensuring the best interests of the country," added the statement.
Erbil has repeatedly accused Baghdad of not making regular payments of its share of federal funds. Last June, Iraq passed a three-year budget of which the Kurdistan Region's share is 12.6 percent. Baghdad has claimed it has fully implemented its financial obligations to the KRG, including through loans to assist the Region in paying the salaries of its civil servants.
Barzani said in a post on X that he and Sudani “agreed on the need to focus on the collective good of our peoples.”
“A permanent resolution to payment disputes would allow us to prioritize cooperation in the oil and gas, banking, digital, and agriculture sectors,” he added.
Barzani and Sudani held a meeting in Baghdad, discussing pressing issues between the regional and federal government.
"During the meeting, they discussed the general situation across Iraq and a number of national issues and files. The discussions also covered the government's measures in the fields of services and the economy, aiming to achieve sustainable development that benefits all citizens throughout Iraq," read a statement from Sudani after his meeting with Barzani.
"The meeting further addressed shared files, with both parties emphasizing the importance of continuing meetings and constructive dialogue to resolve issues in accordance with the law and the provisions of the constitution, ensuring the best interests of the country," added the statement.
Erbil has repeatedly accused Baghdad of not making regular payments of its share of federal funds. Last June, Iraq passed a three-year budget of which the Kurdistan Region's share is 12.6 percent. Baghdad has claimed it has fully implemented its financial obligations to the KRG, including through loans to assist the Region in paying the salaries of its civil servants.
Barzani said in a post on X that he and Sudani “agreed on the need to focus on the collective good of our peoples.”
“A permanent resolution to payment disputes would allow us to prioritize cooperation in the oil and gas, banking, digital, and agriculture sectors,” he added.
Prime Minister @mohamedshia and I agreed on the need to focus on the collective good of our peoples.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 30, 2024
A permanent resolution to payment disputes would allow us to prioritize cooperation in the oil and gas, banking, digital, and agriculture sectors. pic.twitter.com/vM5r9Ua4uE
Statements from Barzani and Sudani did not mention the issue of Kurdistan Region’s oil exports.
Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014.
On Tuesday, Iraq’s oil ministry invited the KRG and international oil companies (IOCs) working in the Kurdistan Region to an urgent meeting to work towards reaching an agreement on the resumption of Kurdish oil exports.
The KRG’s natural resources ministry the following day accepted the invitation, expressing its “keenness” to meet with the federal government and IOCs to reach an agreement regarding the exports.
“We are ready to visit Baghdad next week to address this issue,” the KRG statement read.
Despite several talks between Kurdish, Iraqi, and Turkish officials, the exports have yet to resume, and many international oil companies have suspended production.
Barzani also discussed Erbil and Baghdad disputes with other Iraqi officials.
The Kurdish prime minister also said that he and Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji “explored ways to stop further attacks on civilian infrastructure.”
“Let me be clear: We will not allow any group to destabilize our neighbors. Moreover, terrorism remains a forgotten threat. That requires stronger security coordination,” Barzani said in a post on X.
Updated at 8:39 pm
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