PM Barzani: Talks with Baghdad Continue Over Kurdistan Region’s 2027 Budget Share
Addressing relations between Erbil and Baghdad, prime minister said the two sides had discussed all outstanding issues during their meetings.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on Sunday that negotiations with Baghdad were continuing to secure the Region’s financial rights and entitlements in Iraq’s 2027 draft federal budget, stressing that relations between the two sides must be governed by federalism and the constitution.
Speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had conveyed its official position and views to the Iraqi federal government delegation as discussions over the Region’s budget allocation continued.
He said the negotiations had not yet produced an agreement but expressed hope that they would lead to a positive outcome that safeguarded the rights of all parties.
Addressing relations between Erbil and Baghdad, prime minister said the two sides had discussed all outstanding issues during their meetings. He emphasized that Iraq is a federal state and the Kurdistan Region is a constitutionally recognized federal entity, requiring relations between the two governments to fully respect federal principles and the constitution.
The prime minister added that the KRG had clarified several misunderstandings to its Iraqi counterparts and said a common understanding had emerged on the need to conduct relations in accordance with the constitution. He expressed hope that this understanding would serve the public interest.
Barzani also reaffirmed the KRG’s commitment to supporting reconstruction and development across the Kurdistan Region, praising the people of Zakho for their efforts to advance their city.
He said the government would continue to support local development initiatives, adding, “Whatever efforts they make to develop their city, we will support and assist them to the same extent.”
On Sunday, Barzani inaugurated the Golden Global Development project and a Nissan branch in Zakho's Batel subdistrict, laid the foundation stone for the Motor Plex Iraq project, and witnessed an agreement with Chinese automaker Jetour to establish a vehicle assembly plant.
The Nissan distribution and training facility, valued at $20.155 million, is expected to serve as a major hub for distributing vehicles across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, with around 2,000 vehicles projected to pass through the facility each month after entering through the Ibrahim Khalil International Border Crossing.
The Motor Plex Iraq project, valued at $15 million, is planned as a sports and tourism complex. The government says such investments aim to strengthen the private sector, develop young people's technical skills, and bring foreign expertise and technology to the Kurdistan Region.