KRG delegation in Iraq’s parliament for budget talks

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, is in meeting with the presidency of Iraq’s parliament over the Kurdistan Region’s share of the federal budget, informed sources told Kurdistan 24 on Wednesday.

“The meeting between the Iraqi parliament’s presidency and KRG delegation headed by [Deputy Prime Minister] Qubad Talabani began in Baghdad over the Kurdistan Region’s share of the federal budget,” an informed source told Kurdistan 24.

The meeting with the Iraqi head of legislators is part of the Kurdish delegation’s continuing talks and negotiations with their Iraqi counterparts over the outstanding issues between them, particularly the Kurdistan Region’s fiscal share in the Iraqi proposed 2021 budget.

Notably, the delegation on Tuesday night convened with Iraq’s parliamentary financial committee to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements, according to the source.

The KRG delegation’s visit marks a renewed round of talks after the KRG’s Deputy Prime Minister in late December announced that a deal was reached on Iraq’s 2021 budget law.

The relations between Erbil and Baghdad are shaped by various disputes, ranging from the Kurdistan Region’s share of the federal budget, land claims, compensation of Kurdish families and survivors of genocides, the financial entitlements of Kurdish farmers, and more.

In a meeting with foreign diplomats and representatives last week in Erbil, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the autonomous region has always worked toward having the “best relations” with Baghdad and is committed to reaching a fair deal on the outstanding issues.

Read More: Kurdistan Region wants ‘best relations’ with Baghdad, PM Barzani tells foreign diplomats

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany