Iraqi government delegation in Erbil to discuss Kurdistan flight ban, border management

A delegation from the Iraqi government arrived in Erbil on Monday for a long-awaited discussion on the international flight ban and the disputed control of border crossings in the Kurdistan Region .
kurdistan24.net

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation from the Iraqi government arrived in Erbil on Monday to discuss the international flight ban on the Kurdistan Region’s airports and disputes over the control of border crossings.

 

On Saturday, a Kurdish delegation, led by the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Minister Karim Sinjari (Shingali), visited Baghdad to initiate talks with the Iraqi federal government over sanctions imposed on the region following the Sep. 25, 2017 referendum on independence.

Speaking to local Iraqi media, Saad Maan, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said the meeting was “productive,” adding the KRG reiterated its commitment to adhere to the Iraqi Constitution to resolve issues with Baghdad.

Both delegations are expected to present a comprehensive draft outlining new arrangements following bilateral meetings held on Saturday and Monday.

“The draft agreement on the restoration of activities at the border crossings, airports, and dams in the Kurdistan Region will be sent to the Iraqi Council of Ministers,” the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) stated on Saturday.

Following the Sep. 25 independence vote, Baghdad banned international flights to and from both the Erbil and Sulaimani airports and called on the KRG to hand over control of its border crossings to the Federal Government of Iraq.

Iraqi news outlets reported that a source from Baghdad revealed that the flight ban on the Kurdistan Region would be lifted by the end of this month, but officials from either the KRG or the Iraqi federal government have confirmed the rumor so far.

Editing by Nadia Riva