KRG Council of Ministers discuss regional stability, salary distribution, and minority rights

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) —Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a meeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers on Wednesday, addressing key issues ranging from regional stability to financial and administrative policies.

Commitment to Peace Amid Regional Tensions 

At the outset, the Council reviewed the latest developments in Syria. Prime Minister Barzani emphasized that the Kurdistan Region will maintain its policy of neutrality in regional and international conflicts. The Council reiterated its commitment to fostering strong relationships with neighboring countries, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.

Salary Distribution and Budget Challenges 

The meeting’s first session focused on financial matters, with reports presented by Awat Janab Noori, Minister of Finance and Economy, and Umed Sabah, President of the Diwan of the Council of Ministers. They provided updates on salary payments and amendments to Iraq's federal budget law. 

The Council highlighted that the KRG has met its obligations under the federal budget agreement and continues to engage with the Iraqi Federal Government to ensure financial entitlements for the Kurdistan Region. Despite these efforts, the KRG has yet to receive salaries for October and November due to procedural delays by Iraq’s Ministry of Finance, even though the required salary lists have been submitted. 

To address this, the KRG called on Iraq’s Federal Council of Ministers to utilize its authority under Article 60 of the budget law to resolve salary-related deficits, ensuring timely payments to civil servants across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. The Cabinet also instructed the KRG Ministry of Finance to distribute salaries immediately upon receiving any funds from Baghdad.

A KRG delegation is scheduled to visit Baghdad next week to negotiate amendments to the 2025 federal budget and financial schedules.

Job Title Reforms in Public Sector 

In the second agenda item, the Cabinet discussed a proposal to align job titles in the Kurdistan Region with those of the federal government, as part of reforms outlined in the 2024 amended property law. Ministries were directed to review the proposed changes to ensure they align with the region’s institutional needs while safeguarding employees' interests.

Focus on Minority Rights and Coexistence 

The meeting concluded with a report by Aydin Maruf, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, on the state of ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region. The Cabinet reaffirmed its dedication to protecting and promoting the rights of minorities and maintaining peaceful coexistence, which remains a hallmark of the Kurdistan Region.