KRG, Iraqi government discuss oil revenue, Mosul operation
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation visited Baghdad to meet with the Iraqi officials and discuss the stranded issues between the KRG and the Iraqi government.
The KRG delegation headed by PM Nechirvan Barzani and accompanied by other Kurdistan Region officials arrived at Baghdad on Monday and met with the Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi.
According to a statement by the PM’s office, the meeting discussed “the economic, political and security situation, as well as the preparations for the Mosul liberation operation and the disputes between the federal government and the Region.”
The Iraqi PM stressed on “Increasing oil production and handover of the KRG’s exported oil to the federal government in return for the payment of the financial dues by the federal government based on a joint agreement characterized by clarity and transparency,” the statement said.
The KRG released a statement on the meeting, stating that “the topics of oil production and distribution and the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk rights were discussed in the meeting.” Participants agreed that technical talks will be held between the Iraqi government’s Oil Ministry and the KRG’s Natural Resources Ministry.
Both the KRG and the Iraqi government have agreed to coordinate over the Mosul liberation operation and both sides will abide by the plan to retake the Islamic State (IS) held city of Mosul and the return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their places, the statement of the KRG and Iraqi PM’s office read.
Brett McGurk, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter IS, in a tweet welcomed the meeting between the Iraqi PM and the KRG PM.
Safeen Dizayee, the KRG spokesperson in a statement on the morning of Monday said that the KRG delegation will discuss the Iraqi government side of the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over oil revenue, the KRG budget share and the upcoming Mosul operation.
Editing by Ava Homa