KRG had ‘good understanding’ with Iraq oil officials, says PM Barzani
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has recently had a good understanding with the Iraqi federal oil officials regarding the outstanding issues, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on Tuesday.
A delegation from Iraq’s Ministry of Oil, headed by Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani and several oil directors, including those from the state oil company, met with Kurdistan Region officials on Monday to discuss the resumption of halted oil exports from the Kurdish region as well as payment issues to oil companies.
“We reached a good understanding in our discussions and they decided to go back to Baghdad to discuss it with their colleagues prior to making a final decision on the recommendations,” Barzani told reporters in Erbil.
“I am hopeful that there will be good outcomes and positive news for the people [out of the discussions],” he added.
The oil export from the Kurdistan Region has been halted since March 25 at the request of Baghdad after Iraq claimed victory against Turkey at the International Arbitration Court in Paris.
“There is a prospect for resuming the oil export,” Barzani said, stressing the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights must be protected.
Barzani's remarks came on the sideline of his participation at a festival of Fine Arts College in Erbil, where he had toured the art event and spoke with Kurdish artists about their work.
I have always been passionate about art. Whenever possible, I have tried to use my voice to promote Kurdistan's artists, poets, and musicians, and the important stories that they channel through their work.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) November 14, 2023
You have my support. pic.twitter.com/0HuYdBUZHq
Speaking to reporters at the festival, the premier said that he was delighted to visit the event since the arts and sculpture are also his personal passion.
He also reiterated his government's support for artists across the Kurdistan Region.
In his meeting with the senior Iraqi oil delegation on Monday, the premier called for a swift resumption of the halted export.
However, Iraq has officially requested Turkey to allow the resumption of oil and Ankara has concluded what it dubbed as maintenance work on the pipeline, the oil flow has not yet resumed since March 25 this year.
The difference in oil extraction cost per barrel in the Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) contracts with international oil companies is one of the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.
Per the budget law, the extraction cost per barrel is set at $6 while the regional governments pay a much higher price.
