Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money

[6ly410]

 

KRG owes $10 billion in back pay to public sector employees

By Hiwa Jamal 4 minutes ago 

70Views

         

KRG Minister of Finance Rebaz Hamlan speaks on Rudaw TV’s Rudawa Iro programme on March 9, 2019. Photo: Rudaw

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani announced on Friday that the unpopular salary-saving system was over and, this month, salaries would be paid in full now that Erbil has patched up its relations with Baghdad.

The salary-saving system was part of austerity measures adopted in 2014 by the KRG after its budget share was cut by Baghdad, oil prices plummeted, and war with ISIS erupted, driving some 2.5 million people to seek safety in the Kurdistan Region. 

Bearing the brunt of the financial crisis, teachers, health workers, and civil servants protested across the Region. 

Earlier this year, the Iraqi parliament passed the 2019 budget that included guaranteed payments of KRG salaries. 

In an exclusive interview with Rudaw, KRG Minister of Finance Rebaz Hamlan explained how the government will now tackle its huge debts – to civil servants, banks, and private companies.

He argued that the central government should take some responsibility since Baghdad’s failure to pay the Kurdistan Region its share of federal funds was part of the problem. 
 
The following is a translation of Hamlan’s interview on the Rudawa Iro programme, edited for clarity and length.


Hiwa Jamal (Rudaw): How much does the KRG owe its employees?

Rebaz Hamlan: We have opened a division in the Council of Ministers called ‘The office of managing Kurdistan Region debts.’ This department manages all the details of the debts of the ministries of natural resources, finance, and the government as a whole. It records all these details every month.  

 

  the Iraqi government should shoulder this responsibility  

Our [focus] is mainly about the KRG commitment to the amount of money saved on its employees’ salaries or the KRG commitment to those contractors who have finished their projects and we haven’t been able to pay them. These are our commitments. And this department deals with these commitments.

Will you pay interest on these debts?

No.

How much does the KRG owe its employees?

Some.

Approximately?

More than – nearly 10 billion [dollars].

So the government owes 10 billion to its employees?

All employees.

What is the mechanism for paying back this debt?

When a decision was made to pay reduced-salaries, it should have been fixed that the decision was mainly due to the Iraqi government cutting the Kurdistan Region’s budget in 2014. According to the constitution and annual budget, the central government is responsible for paying employees their salaries.  

 

  The Kurdistan Region has never taken the initiative to cause problems even in the past  

The Iraqi government tells us we are its citizens and that the Kurdistan Region is part of Iraq. If that is the case, then what’s the difference between an employee serving the government in the Kurdistan Region or an employee serving the government in Baghdad or Basra? They both serve the same country, and that is Iraq. According to the constitution, they should commit to paying salaries for these employees. 

The KRG was forced to decide to pay reduced-salaries because the KRG was paying its employees on the basis of its income. Oil prices unfortunately plummeted at that time, falling from $110 to $50. Internal revenues made at border crossings also lessened because of the war on ISIS. These things are interrelated. This made the KRG pay its employees on the basis of revenues it was making. 

Now that an amount has been saved on their salaries, the Iraqi government should shoulder this responsibility. This should have been fixed when the decision to pay reduced salaries was made because they were the main reason behind the decision.

The KRG might have been negligent in not fixing this at that time. But what is the mechanism for paying back the amount saved from the salaries of the employees?

Two ways of doing so have been discussed. First, in yesterday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, section 2 says the KRG will solve the problem of old debts and saved salaries in negotiation with Baghdad. [Second], last year, we sent the reform law to the Kurdistan parliament. One of its most important sections is paying back the saved salaries according to a law. And both ways have been taken.

Will you wait for the parliament to pass a bill on repaying these debts? 

 

  People only focus on the issue of oil, but our problem with Baghdad is not only about oil  

I reassure the people of the Kurdistan Region that this law will be passed in this fifth term of parliament this year.

How much do you owe companies?

This is a multi-faceted matter. There are different budgets in the Kurdistan Region – petrodollar budget, investment budget, direct enforcement budget given to provinces. And we have classified all these debts. 

Recently, we paid back $100 million to contractors and another $100 million is ready to pay back to them this week. This amount has been provided by the ministry of natural resources and sent to the ministry of finance to settle these debts. We have also paid back $220 million to private banks and we are paying back $10 million to private banks every month in coordination with the central bank.

So what is the total debt of the KRG now?

I cannot give you a number right now. Last year, we paid back many debts and a small amount is left to be paid back.

People fear that they will be paid reduced salaries if Baghdad doesn’t send the budget or you don’t send oil through SOMO.

Political stability and the absence of war or rivalry is an important factor for financial stability and the financial situation of people as 

 

  We know what our rights are as the Kurdistan Region and will not move towards being Iraq  

well. The more we coordinate with Baghdad and have mutual understanding, the more able we are to resolve all these problems. The Kurdistan Region has never taken the initiative to cause problems even in the past. Rather, it was Baghdad causing problems. 

The people of Kurdistan will get all their rights as enshrined in the constitution if Baghdad commits to the constitution which is recognized by all the people of Iraq. It’s our own just rights to ask for our own entitlements enshrined in the constitution. That is why I think we shouldn’t be pessimistic about this matter. I am very optimistic that this is a good beginning for the Kurdistan Region now and in the future.

How will the KRG reach an agreement with Baghdad to ensure what happened in the past doesn’t recur?

The KRG assigned the Oil and Gas Council yesterday to conduct detailed negotiations with Baghdad. People only focus on the issue of oil, but our problem with Baghdad is not only about oil. Last year, we took many positive steps which have now born fruit. For example, we have eliminated tax disparities between Baghdad and here and equalized customs fees, which are now the same from Umm al-Qasr [port in Basra] up to Ibrahim Khalil [border crossing with Turkey]. We have taken many positive steps.

So you have started a good process of going back to Iraq as you have tied everything to Baghdad?

This is about sovereignty and the constitution. For example, the issue of border crossings is fixed in the constitution. And the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region and the KRG have at all times announced its commitment to the constitution. Now, we have committed to things that fall within the realm of the constitution. We know what our rights are as the Kurdistan Region and will not move towards being Iraq. Rather, we are moving ahead towards the rights enshrined in constitution for the Kurdistan Region. That is, the Kurdistan Region has its own share in the Iraqi budget. What would be the use of our MPs in Baghdad if they don’t follow up on our rights?

Now that the salary-saving system has been scrapped, what guarantees are there that KRG employees will receive their full salaries regularly?

There are guarantees. Relations between the political leadership in the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad have now improved. The Iraqi prime minister has a very important role to play in this regard. He lived in the Kurdistan Region and understands the needs of the Kurdistan Region and its people. And he speaks about this every time. The president of Iraq is a Kurd and we have MPs working in 

 

  We dedicate 68 percent of our budget to employees in the Kurdistan Region  

Baghdad. They will all play important roles in this matter. In addition, the Iraqi minister of finance is also a Kurd who is vested with the authority to make decisions on many subjects.

Is it systematic or are you just making people happy?

The issue of salaries is systematic. But Iraq has not yet recognized the big number of employees in the Kurdistan Region. We dedicate 68 percent of our budget to employees in the Kurdistan Region. This is a huge amount given that only 35 percent of the budget in a neighbor like Turkey is dedicated to employees. That is why Iraq has not recognized this number. 

Now and in the past, the Iraqi government has never sent full salaries of the employees of the Kurdistan Region, even when we had good relations with them. The Kurdistan Region has always accounted for the rest of salaries on the basis of its internal and oil revenues.

Why don’t you reduce the number of your employees?

This huge number of employees will be dealt with by the reform proposals sent to the Kurdistan parliament. More than 100 billion [dinars, $83.5 million] will return to Kurdistan Region’s treasury if this problem is resolved early. 

One of our past problems which we need to recognize is that hiring was not done according to the needs of departments of the Kurdistan Region or specialty. And this has caused problems. There are many people working in offices where their degrees or specialty has no relevance. 

We have to dedicate 881 billion dinars ($735 million) to pay full salaries to employees. In the best case scenario, Baghdad will send 522 billion dinars ($435.7 million), which it hasn’t sent yet. It has sent 453 billion ($378 million), but hasn’t yet sent 68 billion dinars ($56.7 million) that goes to Peshmerga forces. The ministries of finance and natural resources should add to the amount to reach 881 billion dinars http://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/interview/10032019

Edited March 10, 2019 by 6ly410

[navira]

I just knew that all these payments had the oil revenues included in them(this is the HCL that was embeded in the budget...The KRG had to reduce the salaries or did not pay the employees due to baghdad n KRGs dispute over the percentage given to KRG at the time and lower oil prices). Folks get ready n cheer all. Thanks bro for this very great article.

[navira]

Here it is guys: The ministries of finance and natural resources should add to the amount to reach 881 billion....natural resources(HCL)...Later folks

[Half Crazy Runner]

25 minutes ago, 6ly410 said:

I reassure the people of the Kurdistan Region that this law will be passed in this fifth term of parliament this year.

 

I’ve lost track, which term are they in right now...?

 

And, thanks 6ly410 for the article! 👍🏻

[10 YEARS LATER]

1 hour ago, Half Crazy Runner said:

 

I’ve lost track, which term are they in right now...?

 

And, thanks 6ly410 for the article! 👍🏻

 

Isn't this the 2nd session ? Hell, even their conception of time is skewed. A 5th term puts us NOT in " the near future " but " the distant future " . . . If the CBI is waiting for this to be passed they're going to be waiting a very long time. Meanwhile, Inflation now is on a slow but steady rise and Tariffs & Taxes are bleeding the citizens white : One would think with these 2 factors alone, a RI/RV couldn't be very off.

 

. . . these people think they have all the time in the world ?  Perhaps this is misinformation or this guy doesn't really have a clue ?  

 

They're always ( more questions with these folks ) putting out articles that steer us off in all directions.  . . but this is Iraq and who knows what really goes through these people's minds for common sense. Whether it's Kurds or Iraqis, they're exhausting and insufferable MOST of the time.

 

[tigergorzow]

DV,  I do believe the "Bill" they are referring to is the "Payment of Debts" owed to the KRG citizens in the 5th term.  IMHO, The "HCL" is upon us bc we know from previous articles the Parliament Legal Committee have already voted and now awaiting the Parliament to read, vote and get this "LAW" published in the Gazette.  Always Keeping the faith..😁😁

 

GO RV / RI

[jeepguy]

Keeping the hope alive !  ( Thanks for the update )

[ChuckFinley]

26 minutes ago, tigergorzow said:

DV,  I do believe the "Bill" they are referring to is the "Payment of Debts" owed to the KRG citizens in the 5th term.  IMHO, The "HCL" is upon us bc we know from previous articles the Parliament Legal Committee have already voted and now awaiting the Parliament to read, vote and get this "LAW" published in the Gazette.  Always Keeping the faith..😁😁

 

GO RV / RI

Would have to agree. 

[jeepguy]

10 billion divided by " ohh 3:00 per " dinar --- would this bring them up to even balance budget ? 😁

[ChuckFinley]

3 hours ago, jeepguy said:

10 billion divided by " ohh 3:00 per " dinar --- would this bring them up to even balance budget ? 😁

Yes Sir, 

[ChuckFinley]

6 hours ago, tigergorzow said:

DV,  I do believe the "Bill" they are referring to is the "Payment of Debts" owed to the KRG citizens in the 5th term.  IMHO, The "HCL" is upon us bc we know from previous articles the Parliament Legal Committee have already voted and now awaiting the Parliament to read, vote and get this "LAW" published in the Gazette.  Always Keeping the faith..😁😁

 

GO RV / RI

Like your thought process there.

[yota691]

A delegation from the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal in Kurdistan arrives in Baghdad to discuss two important issues

12:40 - 11/03/2019

 

 

 

BAGHDAD - A 
delegation of the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Monday, to the capital Baghdad, to discuss several files. 
Information received / Mawazin News / informed sources, that "a delegation from the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal in the Kurdistan Regional Government arrived, today, to the capital Baghdad." 
And that "the delegation headed by Undersecretary Brivan Hamdi, has held a meeting with Bashir Haddad, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives." 
According to the information, "the delegation will meet with the House of Representatives to discuss a number of issues." 
She explained that "the delegation will meet tomorrow with the Federal Council of Ministers to discuss the coordination between Erbil and Baghdad on the issue of the opening of mass graves of Yezidis left behind by the organization of a supporter." 
According to information,

[Butifldrm]

Baghdad Post Monday, 11 March 2019 12:54 PM

A government delegation from the Kurdistan region arrives in Baghdad and meets the parliament and the cabinet

 

A delegation of the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal in the Kurdistan Regional Government arrived Monday in the Federal Capital Baghdad. 

The delegation is headed by Undersecretary Brivan Hamdi, who held a meeting with Bashir Haddad, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Available information indicates that the delegation will meet with the House of Representatives to discuss a number of issues. 

According to the same information, the delegation will meet tomorrow with the Federal Council of Ministers to discuss the coordination between Erbil and Baghdad on the issue of the opening of the mass graves of Yazidis left behind by the Dahedsh. 

According to information, the other issue that will be discussed is securing the federal government for the constitutional financial benefits of the families of martyrs and anfal.

AS

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/156737/وفد-حكومي-من-إقليم-كردستان-يصل-بغداد-ويجتمع-البرلمان-ومجلس-الوزراء

[yota691]

The volume of investment in Kurdistan reached 50 billion dollars

 Twilight News    
 17 minutes ago

"The Kurdistan region's economy is in constant prosperity compared to the rest of the provinces of Iraq, as the size of investment to 50 billion dinars," said a spokesman for the Kurdistan Investors Union, adding that a decision by Prime Minister Nechervan Barzani criticized many traders and the rich from bankruptcy.       

The Kurdistan Region is better than any region in Iraq for the investment sector from all sides because the prosperity in it is increasing steadily, he said, adding that the volume of investment in the region amounted to 50 billion US dollars and that foreign investment represents more than 30% of the investment sector, 16 billion dollars.

Mahmoud said that in the past period has been invested in 13 different sectors in the region, including important sectors of the region such as industry, agriculture and tourism.

He added that raising the compulsory savings on the salaries of employees will return good amounts of investment because employees who could not because of savings to meet the premiums caused by their debts such as installments of homes or cars or furniture or electrical appliances will be able from now on to pay those installments.

He explained that the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government signed a decision in which he stressed that the owners of debt in the economic field can benefit from the instruments of construction, pointing out that this will be of great benefit to move the market and will save many of the rich and traders from bankruptcy.  

Keywords: 

 

[yota691]

How will the pumping of $ 100 million to improve the economic situation in Kurdistan?

 

 

 Twilight News    
 3 hours ago

The president of the Federation of Kurdistan Contractors said on Monday that after the holidays of Norouz and the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the region is moving towards the reconstruction and living well, and will be the year 2019 year to overcome the crises, adding that work will resume work on unfinished projects.

After the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the region and the Ministry of Finance decided to spend 100 million dollars for contractors, the President of the Kurdistan Contractors Union, this step is important and the pleasure of the contractors.

"The provincial government's finance ministry will spend $ 100 million for contractors this week," he told the Democratic Party's website. "By repaying these debts, it is possible to resume work on unfinished projects."

"Due to the complex crises faced by the provincial government, it was not possible to pay the contractors' financial dues on time in order to complete their projects," he said, noting that without this amount, he would be breathing in order to overcome the difficult situation they had experienced.

And on the total number of projects not completed, he said that there are 3,000 projects faltering, including 1250 projects in Erbil, indicating that these projects are linked to the lives of citizens and must begin to complete.

He pointed out that the visit by the leader of the Democratic Party Massoud Barzani to Baghdad contributed to solving many of the problems between Baghdad and Erbil, and the lifting of mandatory savings on salaries of employees because the lifting will have a positive impact and will be implemented more projects in the region.

Keywords: 

[blueskyline]

Baghdad sends 724 billion Iraqi dinars to Erbil to pay the salaries of March

 Wednesday, 13 March 2019

 

 

 

 

Baghdad - Writings

The region succeeded in achieving some of his demands to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, foremost of which is to raise the salaries of employees and to collect their salaries in advance with increases.

As revealed by a document of the Ministry of Finance, the evening of Tuesday, 12 March 2019, was sent to 724 billion and 819 million Iraqi dinars, the value of the salary of the month of March and salary differences in the past two months (January and February), the Kurdistan region at the request of the region And the Prime Minister.

It is noteworthy that the finance warned the region that if the proof of tax deduction is not sent salaries, the payment of the month of April next will not reach Erbil, as well as the emphasis on the payment of deductions for pension suspensions. 

https://kitabat.com/news/بغداد-ترسل-724-مليار-دينار-عراقي-لأربيل-ل/.......

[yota691]

Barzani: If the Constitution was adopted by solving problems, the situation of Iraq would be better than now

History of edits:: 2019/3/13 22:27 • 284 times readable

(Baghdad: al-Furat News) The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, on Wednesday, during his reception with the governor of Muthanna, Ahmed Menfi, and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of members of the provincial council, if the adoption of the Constitution in resolving the problems would have been the situation in Iraq

A statement of Barzani received the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it that "the guest delegation has expressed his thanks for meeting and welcoming reception, noting the historical relations between the people of Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq, and expressed their appreciation for the sacrifices of the people of Kurdistan in the struggle against dictatorship and war against 
, "The Governor of Muthanna and the accompanying delegation have highly valued, the efforts of President Barzani in addressing the dictatorship and the establishment of democratic principles and coexistence in Iraq," pointing out that "the meeting discussed the living conditions of Iraqi citizens, especially in Muthanna province and the rest of the central and southern provinces of Iraq 
,The need to benefit from the experience of the Kurdistan region in order to transfer to their province, and the development of the tourism sector and strengthen relations between the Kurdistan region and Muthanna province, has also been dealing with the situations and problems in the political process in Iraq, and stressed the need to implement the Iraqi constitution to solve problems.
He described Barzani, according to the statement, "relations between the Kurdistan region and Muthanna province of the task," noting that "after the process of liberating Iraq, if the adoption of the Constitution as a basis for resolving the problems, the situation in Iraq would be better than now," stressing "the need to strengthen relations between the region Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq. " 
He pointed to the political problems in Iraq, reiterated his "the impossibility of turning political differences to hatred and resentment among nationalities." "We must deepen the peace and harmony among the Iraqi factions," he said. 
The statement added that "at the end of the meeting, and on the fate of the remains of the Anfalists Kurdistan, President Barzani called for more serious efforts to find mass graves and the transfer of the remains of the martyrs to their homeland."

[yota691]

Kurdistan: Ready to start serious dialogue to solve the remaining problems with Baghdad with the help of friendly countries

Political | 02:14 - 14/03/2019

 

 

 

Baghdad - 
The government of Kurdistan, on Thursday, expressed readiness to begin serious dialogue to resolve the remaining problems with Baghdad with the help of friendly countries. 
The media office of the Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister, Nigervan Barzani, said in a statement received by "Mawazin News" that the latter "received today, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and a delegation accompanying him." 
Barzani said during the meeting that "the Kurdistan region always looks forward to building good relations with its neighbors, especially with Turkey, which helped and supported the Kurdistan region in difficult times," pointing out "the willingness of the Kurdistan government to further develop these relations in all areas, Economy and trade ". 
The Prime Minister of Kurdistan, "the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the efforts of Adel Abdul Mahdi, the Iraqi prime minister, the last to solve the problems between Arbil and Baghdad."
The Barzani, the readiness of the region "to start a serious dialogue to resolve the remaining problems," noting "the need for the participation of friendly countries in this area." 
According to the statement, the guest delegation during a meeting on his satisfaction with "a visit to the Kurdistan region, and Park for Najarvan Barzani, his candidacy for the post of president of the Kurdistan region." 
The Turkish delegation expressed the hope that "the formation of the new cab of the Kurdistan Regional Government at the earliest time," pointing out that "the historical friendship between the Kurdistan region and Turkey." 
He expressed his country's readiness to "strengthen relations in all fields, especially in the economic and trade fields." 
The statement said that "the meeting discussed the political situation in the region in general, and other issues related to the bilateral relations between the two sides."

[yota691]

14-03-2019 01:04 PM

Baghdad to send the Kurdistan region salaries of March, amounting to 724 billion dinars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Butifldrm]

form 6 committees between Arbil and Baghdad for the return of the Peshmerga to be disputed in four regions

 Twilight News    

 one hour ago

 

Shafak News / Arbil and Baghdad formed six higher committees, in addition to entering a new round of dialogues for the return of the deployment of Peshmerga forces in the disputed areas.

"The Peshmerga ministries and the Iraqi defense formed six committees to discuss the return of the Peshmerga in the disputed areas and determine the points to be based in the borders of Kirkuk, Mosul, Diyala and Makhmour," Assistant Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga Major General Qaraman Kamal said in a press statement today.

He added that "the issue needs a second meeting between the two committees, which is scheduled to be held in the near future," noting that Baghdad will set a date and the Kurdistan region is waiting to decide on that issue.

On the formation of the Peshmerga forces, which will be based in the disputed areas, Kamal said that so far it had not been decided, and in the bilateral meeting between the two military committees would be determined.

Keywords: 

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/744e8bac-57e7-496c-aa34-66c143325f2c

[10 YEARS LATER]

When only 1 committee isn’t enough .... 6 are needed ? 

[Rugbylaird19]

Now we will have 6 committees not able to agree on issues. And that's when they decide to show up and work.

[6ly410]

Baghdad hikes monthly payment to Kurdistan

With an infusion of federal money under the newly enacted 2019 budget, the KRG is lifting austerity measures and returning to the days of financial dependence on Baghdad.

Adil Abd al-Mahdi (L) meets with Nechirvan Barzani on Nov. 13, 2014. (STRINGER/Reuters)

By Rawaz Tahir and Mohammed Hussein of Iraq Oil Report

Published Thursday, March 14th, 2019

 

ERBIL - Iraq's federal government has roughly doubled the amount of its monthly transfer to the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) — a sign of a deepening relationship of interdependence between Baghdad and Erbil.

Future payments are not guaranteed to remain so high. The 2019 budget law calls on the KRG to contribute 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) of its independently managed oil production to the federal government's exports - and if it fails to do so, there could be financial penalties.

 

https://www.iraqoilreport.com/news/baghdad-hikes-monthly-payment-to-kurdistan-38061/?utm_source=IOR Newsletter

Edited March 15, 2019 by 6ly410

[6ly410]

Bump

[yota691]

Nezirvan Barzani: The solution of all differences with Baghdad, one of my priorities as the President of the Kurdistan Region

By Ziad al-Haidari one hour ago

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani

Roudao - Erbil 

eating site " the Monitor" American, in his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, the current situation between Kurdistan and Baghdad and the neighboring region, and how will be the future of the Kurds in Syria, in addition to other topics important belong to the region. 

"We have had the opportunity to participate in the Iraqi national elections and we have been able to achieve great success as a Kurdish bloc. The Kurdistan Democratic Party has become the first party in terms of seats in the Kurdistan Democratic Party," Barzani said during the interview. The Iraqi parliament, it is clear that this result proved that the political situation in Kurdistan and the contribution of political parties in Kurdistan is still important for Iraq, especially those who relied on the assumption that the Kurdistan Democratic Party will be marginalized and proved to have been wrong " .

"We have also participated in the formation of the government in Baghdad, and we see that the current Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, wants to make relations good, and I can say with all sincerity that our relationship with Baghdad is much better than it was in the past. We have been able to reach a compromise on the budget. We are all Iraqis and the problem of borders has been solved. There were many checkpoints between the borders of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the borders of the central government. , But checkpoints have been removed to facilitate Trade between all regions ".

"When I spoke to Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, I told him that if we want to have a stable Iraq and resolve our differences, the two main issues to be addressed are revenue sharing arrangements between Baghdad and the KRG, the disputed territories, There are other problems, but we need to focus on these two issues first, "noting that" will resolve all differences with Baghdad is one of my top priorities as President of the Kurdistan Region. " 

When asked about the implementation of Article 140 of the Constitution and whether Adel Abdul Mahdi understands the importance of this constitutional article, said Nechirvan Barzani: "I can confirm that Adel Abdul Mahdi is the only politician in Iraq able to understand the Kurdish issue, he has been with us since the eighties, And part of the opposition, to our side.

On the relations between Iraq and Iran, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region said, "There is an important role for Iran in Iraq, and relations between Iran and Iraq can not be reduced by simple bilateral relations, Iran and Iraq have very long common borders. , About 45% of Iraq's electricity comes from Iran, and trade between Iran and Iraq about $ 11 billion. 

"I think the Kurds in Syria should try to find a solution within the framework of a unified Syria. They should take part in dialogue and negotiations with the regime to get their rights," said Barzani.