Erbil, Baghdad Continue Technical Talks on Financial Disputes
Officials involved in the discussions have expressed careful optimism, suggesting that concrete conclusions may be reached in the near future.
Feb. 1, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraq’s federal government entered their second consecutive day in Baghdad, with both sides working to resolve longstanding financial disputes.
The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Finance and Economy confirmed on Saturday that technical discussions continue, indicating likely progress toward a resolution.
The meetings, which bring together technical teams from both governments, intend to highlight key financial challenges that have affected relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
Officials involved in the discussions have expressed careful optimism, suggesting that concrete conclusions may be reached in the near future.
This latest round of negotiations follows a meeting held in Baghdad on Friday.
Read More: KRG, Baghdad Delegations Continue Negotiations on Salaries, Budget
That session was chaired by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Economic Council, Dr. Fuad Hussein, and included top officials from both governments.
The KRG delegation was led by Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab and included Cabinet Office Chief Omed Sabah, Cabinet Secretary Amanj Rahim, and Coordination and Follow-up Department Head Abdulhakim Khusraw.
The federal government was represented by Finance Minister Taif Sami and other key officials.
The technical discussions emphasize the broader effort to settle financial disputes that have long strained relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
Both sides have consistently struggled to reach a lasting agreement on budget allocations, revenue sharing, and the management of oil revenues.
While political complexities remain, the continuation of technical negotiations reflects a mutual commitment to addressing these challenges through direct engagement and cooperation.
Ashwaq Jaff, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Central Committee, accused an unconstitutional political force of obstructing Iraq’s political stability and undermining the principles of federalism.
In an interview with Kurdistan24, Jaff stated that certain factions within Iraq’s political landscape are actively working against the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and financial entitlements.
Read More: KRG’s Constitutional Rights Challenged by Political Factions, KDP Official Highlights
