Iraqi PM to visit Kurdistan Region Wednesday for key discussions on oil, budget

This will mark Sudani's fourth visit to the Kurdistan Region since assuming office as Iraq's Prime Minister. His previous visit to the region was on Nov. 9, 2023.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. (Photo: Thaier Al-Sudani/AP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. (Photo: Thaier Al-Sudani/AP)

Nov. 10, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is scheduled to visit Erbil and Sulaimani on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, to discuss several crucial issues with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials, a KRG source told Kurdistan24 on Sunday.

According to Kurdistan 24 sources, the high-level visit will address several critical matters, including:

- Public sector salary payments

- Formation of the new KRG cabinet

- Oil export resumption

- National population census

- Regional developments

- Other pending issues between Erbil and Baghdad

This will mark Sudani's fourth visit to the Kurdistan Region since assuming office as Iraq's Prime Minister. His previous visit to the region was on Nov. 9, 2023.

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad have faced various challenges, particularly regarding oil exports, budget allocation, and public sector salaries.

The visit comes at a crucial time as the Kurdistan Region works to form its new government following recent parliamentary elections.

The oil export issue has been particularly significant since its suspension in March 2023 through Turkey's Ceyhan pipeline, affecting the region's revenue streams.

The proposed national census, which hasn't been conducted comprehensively since 1987, remains a crucial point of discussion between the federal and regional governments.