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Refund of public funds

 

Friday 12 July 2019

 

Thamer Hymes
How to deal with public money smuggled before and after 2003 Find a fund to recover public money smuggled and parliamentary committee to follow.      

As we know, we have a growing Iraqi community in the neighboring countries, which has surpassed the purchase of real estate to reach the highest level of the citizens of the host country. This community has accumulated in the first phase after the nationalization laws after 1964 and the law of agrarian reform to commercialize with The new community to become effective tools in transforming surpluses, which negatively affect development, and generate value added beyond borders.

Do not exaggerate if we say that the public money smuggled equivalent to Iraq's internal and external interest, and that the public money smuggled in all kinds can not be voluntarily returned in any case because it is required judicial and documented and the action was done with premeditation.      

Therefore, we should reach an agreement with countries that wish to establish strategic economic relations through the areas of trade and industrial cities by presenting their files of smuggling and money laundering with names and bodies so as to proceed with good neighborly relations free from any opportunism. .   

These serious files will only be resolved by law, to re-install our economy on the right track, as the commercial sector returns to its real size as a servant of the agricultural and industrial sectors after being limited by import trade, which is only a port that intersects with the public interest.

In addition to this, it is possible to put an end to the recklessness of public money and the profiteering of stolen money abroad and inside, to reduce the volume of class inequality, and to direct it to lift a segment of citizens from the approach of the poverty line.

When we read in one of our daily newspapers that an Iraqi pays one billion dinars for a traffic sign (1 / Halabja), how do we understand this? Is the man's income came from a real effort? Or is it a peer to peer? As it is said, what was hidden was greater.

Let us start from the easiest step as a lesson to be taken for the next step, as it is the first to contribute to the drying up of breeding offspring and coalescing outside the national stadium and against it managed by the owner of the potential and logistics supported regionally. It is a win-win bet for those who want their country to move forward and progress at a confident pace.

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Digital transformation in the financial sector .. an imperative

 

Friday 12 July 2019

alsabaah-15718.jpg

 

Baghdad / Al-Sabah 
The Association of Iraqi Private Banks organized in cooperation with the Jordanian-Jordanian Economic Association a conference on digital transformation in the financial sector, with the participation of more than 20 Jordanian companies and the presence of prominent figures, notably the Governor of the Central Bank Ali Alaq, Minister of Communications Naeem Al-Rubaie and Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy Muthanna Al-Gharaibeh.
The central bank governor Ali Alalak said in his speech during the conference: "The transformation 
Digital banking operations in the Iraqi banking sector is a cornerstone of economic growth, as well as contributing to new job opportunities that enable individuals and companies to access useful financial products and services at prices that meet their needs responsibly. "
 
Enhancing financial inclusion
"Digital financial technology will help expand access to financial services, especially those that are difficult to reach by banks or financial institutions, as well as the potential positive growth of digital banking services in the banking industry and the enhancement of financial inclusion," he said.
"The coming period will witness a remarkable development in the field of financial technologies based on solid foundations of legal and regulatory frameworks, adoption of rules of governance and adherence to international standards, as well as information technology infrastructure," he said.
 
Stay for the fastest
Mr. Ali Tariq, Executive Director of the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, said: "We welcome the brothers from Jordan in their second country, Iraq, and I would like to be here today to discuss ways of cooperation and challenges facing our two countries in the digital transformation process. "As the governor pointed out two years ago at a conference organized by the Association of Iraqi Private Banks on Banking Technologies, we are racing against time and staying for the fastest."
Tarek added that "the joint efforts of all employees in the banking sector and the direct support of the Central Bank of Iraq led to an acceleration in the banking sector to keep pace with the digital transformation and development of infrastructure and the preparation of human cadres and technical systems in order to achieve the goal to be our main support sector and strategic partner of other sectors , As the payment process is the most important challenge of digital transformation for all sectors. "
"In the light of the wide development of the world of Internet and information technology and the urgent need for innovation, creativity and financial leadership, we are working today to support and motivate Iraqi youth to enter this world through ideas that support the transformation through financial technologies," he said.
 
A true partnership
"The importance of building real and equal partnerships between Iraqi and Jordanian institutions to ensure continuity and sustainability and create job opportunities for young people in both countries," said Khaled Tayseer Kanaan, chairman of the Jordanian-Iraqi Economic Association. 
"The readiness of the sector 
Jordanian private sector to extend all support in the field of technology to their counterparts in the Iraqi private sector. "
"The digital transformation is a transformation in all sectors, including humanity, not just electronic services," said the chairman of the Jordanian Production Association Bashar Al Hawamdeh. "Our association has a great experience in the field of intellectual property protection and how it works. 
Intellectual property systems, "noting that" today we put our expertise as Jordanian companies in the service of Iraq, because we have been able in a number of Arab countries to apply e-government and digital transformation in terms of technology and thought. "
 
Sessions of the Conference
The conference consisted of three sessions dealing with the topics of digital transformation in the financial sector, regulations and laws related to digital transformation in the banking sector, in addition to enhancing the digital transformation through information technology, with the participation of Iraqi Minister of Communications Naeem Al-Rubaie and Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Muthanna Gharaibeh, Jordanian and Iraqi.
 
Signing an agreement
At the end of the conference, an agreement was signed between the Association of Iraqi Private Banks and the Jordanian-Iraqi Economic Association and the Production Association, whereby the parties involved in the field of transfer of expertise and technical and technical consultations will cooperate through meetings, conferences and symposia which will raise the level of technology and implement training programs in the field of information technology and digital transformation in Iraq.

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SC/13880
11 JULY 2019
8571ST MEETING (AM)

Security Council, after First Ever Visit to Iraq, Says Economic Reform Vital for Post-Conflict Recovery, Warning Fight Against Terrorism ‘Not Over’

The Security Council recognized the challenges facing Iraq in transitioning into a post-conflict environment and the need for economic reform, the co-leaders of the Council’s first ever visit to the country said today.
In a mission co-led by Kuwait and the United States, Council members visited Kuwait City and Baghdad on 28 and 29 June, meeting with high-level officials to better gauge the situation on the ground.  In a joint briefing, the co-leads described the visit’s itinerary and conclusions reached about current achievements and challenges.

Mansour Ayyad Sh. A. Alotaibi (Kuwait) said the purpose of the trip was five-fold.  It first aimed at demonstrating support for Iraq’s post-conflict recovery and reconstruction.  It also was to observe and support efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).

It further aimed to recognize the challenges ahead, he said, including addressing the humanitarian situation, the need for economic reform and attracting inward investment, and to better understand the aspirations and concerns of the Iraqi people as they begin the process of stabilizing and rebuilding their country.  Finally, the visit hoped to address the issue of Kuwaiti and third-party nationals and the return of Kuwaiti property, including national archives, in line with resolution 2107 (2013).

The mission began in Kuwait City, he said, where members met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah, discussing regional issues and bilateral engagement between Iraq and Kuwait.  Members also met to discuss missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and related outstanding issues with Alice Walpole, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs for UNAMI, and Omar Odeh, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Kuwait in his capacity as Chair of the tripartite mechanism.  Members also met the World Bank representative to discuss follow-up to international financial pledges.

In Baghdad, members met with Iraqi interlocutors, he said, conveying the Council’s recognition of remaining challenges in Iraq’s post-conflict recovery and reconstruction.  Welcoming positive progress towards the full formation of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, members noted their continued engagement to resolve differences, in line with the Iraqi Constitution.  Members also commended Iraq for seeking enhanced regional diplomatic and economic reintegration.

Jonathan R. Cohen (United States) said that members underscored the strong and continued commitment of the international community to support Iraq’s stability, prosperity, sovereignty, and security.  In meetings with Iraqi and United Nations interlocutors, Council members stressed the need not only for economic reform and more internal investment, but also regional economic integration.  They also noted that while ISIL/Da’esh no longer controls any Iraqi territory, the fight is not over.  The enduring defeat of the group requires the stabilization of liberated areas, building up resilient communities, and ensuring the continued security for all Iraqis, he said, adding that Iraq’s diversity is critical to its richness and strength.  Council members also discussed the humanitarian situation and underscored the importance of the safe, dignified and voluntary return of all internally displaced persons affected by conflict.

The mission was successful due to the extensive amount of first-hand information obtained in face-to-face meetings with Iraq and United Nations interlocutors, he stressed.  This helped gather a better understanding of the aspirations and concerns of the Iraqi people as they begin the process of stabilizing and rebuilding their country.  He commended the Government of Kuwait for co-sponsoring the mission and the Government of Iraq for joining Council members for many meetings.  He further commended President Masoud Barzani and leaders of the Kurdistan Regional Government for joining the delegation in Baghdad from Erbil and civil society who remain “on the forefront of achieving a better Iraq”.

Vladimir K. Safronkov (Russian Federation), recalling the visit, said contact with regional players confirmed that the Council mission remains an important instrument in its activities.  Welcoming the intention to establish good neighbourly relations and the desire to find solutions, he underlined the importance of mediation-based diplomacy, emphasizing that every State in the region has an interest in this.  “The fight against terrorism is not over,” he said, highlighting the timeliness of the Russian Federation’s counter-terrorism initiative.  Noting that resolving this issue depends on subregional, regional and international cooperation, he said the fight against terrorism should be led in a coordinated manner under the auspices of the United Nations.

Yarob al-Timimi (Iraq) said the visit was timely as Iraq requires the support of all the members of the international community.  “It is a message to the whole world and all people:  Iraq has managed to put itself on the right track and overcome all the shocks of the past, and has reached a developed stage of democracy,” he emphasized.  Iraq continues to fight terrorism.  “We have fought terrorism for five years and have been fighting a terrorist group that controlled 30 to 40 percent of Iraqi territory,” he said.  Iraq looks forward to the Council’s support in rebuilding. 

The meeting began at 10:03 a.m. and ended at 10:20 a.m.

https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sc13880.doc.htm

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Oil prices rise and Brent above $ 67

Friday 12 July 2019

alsabaah-15716.jpg

 

(Reuters)
Oil prices ranged from a six-week high on Friday, as US oil producers in the Gulf of Mexico cut production by more than half in the face of a tropical storm.

Brent crude futures rose 53 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $ 67.05 a barrel. Global benchmark crude fell 0.7 percent on Thursday after hitting a 30-year high of $ 67.65 a barrel.

Western Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $ 60.62 a barrel. US benchmark crude <CLc1> hit its highest level since May 23 at $ 60.94.

By Thursday, oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico cut output by more than 1 million barrels per day, or 53 percent of the region's output, due to tropical storm Bari, which could reach the coast of Louisiana on Saturday.

US crude inventories fell for four weeks in a row, and the US Energy Information Administration said crude inventories fell 9.5 million barrels in the week ending July 5, more than three times the 3.1 million barrels forecast by analysts.

"Brent crude and West Texas crude are expected to remain at current levels due to the sharp drop in US crude stocks and geopolitical risks," said Kim Kwang Rai, analyst at Samsung Futures in Seoul.

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The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers announces the suspension of official working hours on Sunday

 

The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers announces the suspension of official working hours on Sunday
 
 
 
2019/7/13 17:35
 
 
The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers announced the disruption of the official working day on Sunday.

 

The secretariat said in a brief statement, received {Euphrates News} a copy of it, on "to disrupt the official day of Sunday on the occasion of the anniversary of the revolution of July 14," ended.
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19 hours ago, DinarThug said:

Oil prices rise and Brent above $ 67

Friday 12 July 2019

alsabaah-15716.jpg

 

(Reuters)
Oil prices ranged from a six-week high on Friday, as US oil producers in the Gulf of Mexico cut production by more than half in the face of a tropical storm.

Brent crude futures rose 53 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $ 67.05 a barrel. Global benchmark crude fell 0.7 percent on Thursday after hitting a 30-year high of $ 67.65 a barrel.

Western Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $ 60.62 a barrel. US benchmark crude <CLc1> hit its highest level since May 23 at $ 60.94.

By Thursday, oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico cut output by more than 1 million barrels per day, or 53 percent of the region's output, due to tropical storm Bari, which could reach the coast of Louisiana on Saturday.

US crude inventories fell for four weeks in a row, and the US Energy Information Administration said crude inventories fell 9.5 million barrels in the week ending July 5, more than three times the 3.1 million barrels forecast by analysts.

"Brent crude and West Texas crude are expected to remain at current levels due to the sharp drop in US crude stocks and geopolitical risks," said Kim Kwang Rai, analyst at Samsung Futures in Seoul.

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Still all positive for us. 

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Parliamentary Committee: Adoption of the law of oil and gas can solve these problems

 

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14th July, 2019

 


The Oil, Gas and Energy Committee of the House of Representatives on Sunday confirmed the adoption of the oil and gas law to solve all the problems related to oil and gas. 

"The adoption of the oil and gas law in the current session of the Iraqi parliament can solve all the problems related to oil and gas," said the deputy of the committee, Aram Naji, told Mawazine News. 

He added that "this problem and the dispute has become constantly repeated with the whole process of approving the federal budget, so this law should be among the priorities of the current session of Parliament."

Edited by DinarThug
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Halabousi: the post of Minister of Education did not come out of the blocks, "the Sunni component"

 

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14th July, 2019

 


The deputy of the coalition of Iraqi forces, Hibt Halbusi, Sunday, that the post of Minister of Education did not come out of the blocks of the Sunni component, pointing out that there is a group of candidates were submitted to Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to choose one and submit it to parliament for the purpose of voting on it . "Halaboussi said that" information about the arrival of the (Halbusi) on the post of Minister of Education is incorrect, "pointing out that "the file will be resolved in the next few days by choosing one of the candidates who were given to Abdul Mahdi." 

"The position of the minister of education is the share of (the Sunni component) and did not depart from this component and will be in the coming days to resolve the file in full," Halaboussi said in a statement.  He added that "Abdul Mahdi has a lot of candidates who were presented by the blocks of the component mentioned, where he will choose one of them and submit it to the parliament to vote on it."

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Deputy excluded the success of the political blocs pass the education portfolio: the next sessions will be allocated to the election law

 

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14th July, 2019

 


The deputy of the coalition of construction Fadel Jaber, Sunday, the success of the political blocs to reach an agreement on the passage of the candidate of education through the meetings of the next week of the House of Representatives, between that these sessions will be devoted to the legislation of the local elections law.

Jaber said in a statement to the information that "the political blocs did not reach any agreement on the passage of the candidate of education through the meetings next week so far," pointing out that "the differences are still ongoing between the political blocs on the candidates, as the names did not get displayed To approve so far."

He added that "the meetings of the House of Representatives next week will be devoted to the legislation of the law of local elections," likely to "postpone the vote on education to the third legislative term."

A member of the coalition of victory, Jamila al-Obeidi, on Saturday, to resort to the electronic window to choose a new minister of education in light of continuing differences over the candidates of the Axis alliance, excluding the Sunni component reached an agreement on the candidate of education. The head of the Chaldean Parliament in the House of Representatives Hoshyar Karadag, last week, the postponement of the selection of a candidate for the Ministry of Education to the next legislative term "disaster."

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Deliver a meal of article 140 compensation to the stage families

 

kerkuk.jpg

 

14th July, 2019

 


The Office of the implementation of constitutional article 140 in Kirkuk on the distribution of 230 instruments on the families phase covered by the article mentioned.

The Director of the Office of the implementation of Article 140 in Kirkuk Kaka spray friend in a televised statement that the amounts allocated as compensation to those covered by Article 140 in the federal budget for the year 2019, 50 billion dinars.

He added that the office of Article 140 in Kirkuk sent the names of 500 people covered by Article 140 to the federal government, noting that the Office received 230 instruments so far as a first meal, distributed to the families stage, where the process will continue and there will be a second meal of Sukuk.

Article 140 of the Constitution provides for the granting of families from the areas of intermittent amount of 10 million dinars in compensation, and grant each family of the deceased 20 million dinars.

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Paying with plastic? Iraqis weigh pros and cons

 

A shopowner in Baghdad, Iraq, receives payment for goods at a supermarket in the capital as officials weigh supporting more cashless initiatives. Photo: Rudaw video

 

 

13th July, 2019

 


A shopowner in Baghdad, Iraq, receives payment for goods at a supermarket in the capital as officials weigh supporting more cashless initiatives
 
In Iraq's cash-driven economy, the Communications Ministry and head of the Central of Bank are getting input on a mechanism that would allow banks and shops to further facilitate the use of debit and credit cards.

"The opportunities available for the Iraqi banks are suitable to embark on electronic system and establish a strong infrastructure by making use of technology which is helpful for banking and money related affairs," Iraqi Central Bank Governor Ali al-Allaq told Rudaw on Friday.

Banks are increasingly utilizing ATM cards to distribute salaries to employees in major cities, but most are still paid in hard cash via the Iraqi dinar or US dollar — especially outside major cities.

According to data from the Baghdad Banks Group, only eight shops use bank card scanners for the sale of their goods in Baghdad. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, some hotels, airports, and shops catering to foreigners accept debit or credit cards.

A shop owner in Baghdad explained that customers are not familiar with paying with plastic cards via card scanners. However, Saad Abdulla detailed that as the owner of Nakhla Supermarket he would prefer to accept bank cards. "The electronic system is better and we prefer it. Because maybe sometimes you receive counterfeit banknotes and you do not know it [at the time]," he explained. 

Iraq offers banknotes in the 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 dinar denominations. However the bills are easily torn and worn, making the detection of counterfeiting more difficult. Many storefront exchange shops utilize digital bill counters — some with scanners — to try to thwart counterfeiters with varying degrees of success.  Additionally, vendors are often hesitant to accept US currency printed prior to 2006. "Or sometimes when we receive cash, we do not have change to pay back. The most important thing to me is change which I do not have usually," added Abdulla. Others who spoke to Rudaw believe Baghdad will need to play a bigger role to institute such sweeping changes. The world's largest business software company SAP held a conference in the Iraqi capital with the attendance of Minister of Communication Naim Thajeel al-Rubaie and other government officials on July 4.

A statement from the Iraqi ministry detailed that a "digital transformation" was discussed with the Iraqi Council Ministers, as well as representatives from the German Embassy.  SAP is headquartered in Weinheim, Germany. Neither it nor the embassy had an immediate comment on the project. "A Visa card is way better. I hope everything becomes electronic as is the case in the west. I hope it will happen here as well," customer Muhanad Abdulsatar told Rudaw about the possible initiative.

Iraq has not held a census in more than 30 years. Its population is estimated around 40 million and rapidly increasingly. The QiCard was established in Iraq in 2007 and is represented by the country's largest bank, Rafidain. According to its website, 12 banks including Rafidain and Rasheed have issued 7.4 million cards at 450 centers across the country.
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Just now, DinarThug said:
Paying with plastic? Iraqis weigh pros and cons

 

A shopowner in Baghdad, Iraq, receives payment for goods at a supermarket in the capital as officials weigh supporting more cashless initiatives. Photo: Rudaw video

 

 

13th July, 2019

 


A shopowner in Baghdad, Iraq, receives payment for goods at a supermarket in the capital as officials weigh supporting more cashless initiatives
 
In Iraq's cash-driven economy, the Communications Ministry and head of the Central of Bank are getting input on a mechanism that would allow banks and shops to further facilitate the use of debit and credit cards.

"The opportunities available for the Iraqi banks are suitable to embark on electronic system and establish a strong infrastructure by making use of technology which is helpful for banking and money related affairs," Iraqi Central Bank Governor Ali al-Allaq told Rudaw on Friday.

Banks are increasingly utilizing ATM cards to distribute salaries to employees in major cities, but most are still paid in hard cash via the Iraqi dinar or US dollar — especially outside major cities.

According to data from the Baghdad Banks Group, only eight shops use bank card scanners for the sale of their goods in Baghdad. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, some hotels, airports, and shops catering to foreigners accept debit or credit cards.

A shop owner in Baghdad explained that customers are not familiar with paying with plastic cards via card scanners. However, Saad Abdulla detailed that as the owner of Nakhla Supermarket he would prefer to accept bank cards. "The electronic system is better and we prefer it. Because maybe sometimes you receive counterfeit banknotes and you do not know it [at the time]," he explained. 

Iraq offers banknotes in the 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 dinar denominations. However the bills are easily torn and worn, making the detection of counterfeiting more difficult. Many storefront exchange shops utilize digital bill counters — some with scanners — to try to thwart counterfeiters with varying degrees of success.  Additionally, vendors are often hesitant to accept US currency printed prior to 2006. "Or sometimes when we receive cash, we do not have change to pay back. The most important thing to me is change which I do not have usually," added Abdulla. Others who spoke to Rudaw believe Baghdad will need to play a bigger role to institute such sweeping changes. The world's largest business software company SAP held a conference in the Iraqi capital with the attendance of Minister of Communication Naim Thajeel al-Rubaie and other government officials on July 4.

A statement from the Iraqi ministry detailed that a "digital transformation" was discussed with the Iraqi Council Ministers, as well as representatives from the German Embassy.  SAP is headquartered in Weinheim, Germany. Neither it nor the embassy had an immediate comment on the project. "A Visa card is way better. I hope everything becomes electronic as is the case in the west. I hope it will happen here as well," customer Muhanad Abdulsatar told Rudaw about the possible initiative.

Iraq has not held a census in more than 30 years. Its population is estimated around 40 million and rapidly increasingly. The QiCard was established in Iraq in 2007 and is represented by the country's largest bank, Rafidain. According to its website, 12 banks including Rafidain and Rasheed have issued 7.4 million cards at 450 centers across the country.

 

7-14-2019   Newshound Guru Don961   Article: 

"Paying with plastic? Iraqis weigh pros and cons"

Quote: 

"In Iraq's cash-driven economy,

the Communications Ministry and head of the Central of Bank are getting input on a mechanism that would allow banks and shops to further facilitate the use of debit and credit cards."   

...this is where the rubber (er...currency) hits the road...in the marketplace...

cool article...dump the rippy old notes with all those zeroes...

replace them with new polymer ones that don't deteriorate as quickly...

and give them a value so small change can be made without an issue...

give 'em sum coins for the Fil jar to save for a rainy day ... 

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A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government headed by Barzani to visit Baghdad on Tuesday

 

newkrg.jpg

 

15th July, 2019


A senior delegation of his government will visit the federal capital Baghdad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Meshur Azrani said on Monday. 

Barzani said during the first meeting with his government team today that a high-level delegation from the provincial government will visit Baghdad tomorrow to express good intentions and to conduct dialogues on finding a suitable solution to the outstanding differences between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the Constitution.  Barzani was pleased after the formation of his new government to visit Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, and put in his program the government a number of points to regulate the relationship with Baghdad to resolve the dispute. "A constructive and stable partnership with Baghdad," which said:

This is a new era for the Kurdistan Region, which means renewing our relationship with our partners in the Federal Republic of Iraq. The priority of the administration is to develop a constructive and stable partnership with Baghdad based on mutual respect and cooperation. This includes a clear understanding of the rights and duties of the parties.  We share a range of mutual interests with Baghdad that cover trade, the security of our borders and the economic prosperity of our citizens. These interests can be achieved only through partnership rather than constant competition. There are long-term issues that need to be addressed and this Government is committed to finding new ways of dialogue. The goal should be to leave past conflicts in favor of developing new approaches to common challenges. 

The constitution will be the core of the negotiations with Baghdad, which will be led by a high-level negotiating team from the Kurdistan Regional Government. The participation will focus on the following issues: 

Annual budget allocations for Kurdistan

We resolve the sharing of the import equation that sets the annual budget and secure a just and lasting agreement for Kurdistan. 

Distribution of oil and gas resources 

We will seek the full implementation of Articles 111 and 112 of the Constitution, which enhances the rights of Kurdistan in relation to the equitable distribution of oil and gas and development. If supported, the government program will increase transparency and investment in the oil and gas sector, which works to increase oil exports in Iraq and Kurdistan. 

Military and Security Cooperation 

We will strengthen our ability to combat common threats, address security changes in disputed areas and ensure that the Peshmerga is included in Iraq's defense system. 

Disputed areas

Our priority is to resolve the issue of disputed areas in line with the road map provided for in Article 140 of the Constitution, otherwise this map is implemented, priority must be for joint security and administrative coordination with the federal government in the disputed areas. 

Political Cooperation 

We will work to strengthen our political cooperation with the government in Baghdad, with emphasis on the principles of partnership, harmony and balance on which the constitution is based. 
Compensation of martyrs 

In line with Article 132 of the Constitution, we will strengthen our constitutional right to compensate the martyrs and victims of Anfal and affected by the former Baath regime. 

Barzani also said he would pay a close visit to Baghdad to meet Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and political forces to discuss resolving the differences.

 

###########

 

Barzani pleased: a delegation from the provincial government to visit Baghdad tomorrow  LINK

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Can KRG delegation break oil-for-budget deadlock in Baghdad?

 

Balloons in the Kurdistan Regionâs national colors are released during the official opening of the Khurmala oilfield, Erbil province, July 18, 2009. File photo: AFP

 

15th July, 2019

 


Balloons in the Kurdistan Region’s national colors are released during the official opening of the Khurmala oilfield, Erbil province, July 18, 2009

A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is set to visit Baghdad later this week with the aim of resolving the long-standing disagreement with the central government over the delivery of Kurdish oil in exchange for a share of the federal budget.

Under the 2019 budget agreement, approved in January 2019, the KRG was granted a 12.67 percent share of the federal budget – short of its pre-2014 share of 17 percent – on the condition it sends 250,000 barrels of oil per day to the state marketing body SOMO and deposits all revenues into the central treasury. However, the KRG has so far failed to keep its end of the deal. As parliament prepares to discuss the 2020 budget, Iraqi lawmakers are concerned the KRG will again fail to keep its end of the bargain.

When Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Baghdad officials on June 20, he said he discussed oil matters with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and emphasized that an agreement should be reached that would be acceptable to both parties.

Abdul-Mahdi and Barzani agreed to form two committees to set the agenda for future talks. “We have reached the final stages and what is left is the just a visit from a high ranking KRG delegation to Baghdad to sign a final agreement as we have already spoken on all the issues,” Shakawan Abdulla, a former Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) MP and negotiator in Baghdad said. 

The KRG delegation is expected to consist of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, Peshmerga Minister Shorish Ismael, and MPs from various parties.

Iraqi lawmakers are piling pressure on Abdul-Mahdi’s government to implement the agreement, accusing him of being too soft on the KRG, which is yet to send a single barrel of oil to Baghdad in exchange of its 2019 budget share. Iraqi MPs have even urged the government to freeze the KRG’s share of the budget until oil deliveries are secured.

The KRG has been using revenues earned through its independent oil sales to clear its debts, which piled up in recent years after Baghdad cut its share of the federal budget to zero, global oil prices crashed, and the region was struck by war and financial crisis. “In principle, we do not have any issues with handing over the 250,000 barrels of oil per day to Baghdad,” said Barzani, but added “before it happens, agreements should be made.” “The matter is not just that we should hand over 250,000 barrels of oil. There are also legal dimensions. There is an accumulation of loans on the KRG because of budget cuts from 2014. We have discussed these things and talked about how we can reach a deal that Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region can agree on.”

A leading member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who spoke to Rudaw on condition of anonymity, said last week: “The Americans and UN and even Europeans have pressured both sides to hold constructive and fruitful meetings [and] not just waste time.” “Good understanding has emerged between Erbil and Baghdad in order for Erbil to hand over 250,000 barrels of oil per day and for Baghdad to continue the budget that it does now and the matter of the budget law should no longer be the center of issues.”  “The signing of the first agreement will give way to a second agreement on the subject of disputed and Kurdistani areas outside KRG and Peshmerga control,” he added.

Dana Jaza, a KDP MP in Baghdad, described the KRG visit to Baghdad as “instrumental”. “There is a strong possibility that an agreement will be signed,” Jaza added.

The KRG began selling oil independently of Baghdad in 2013, leading then-PM Nouri al-Maliki to suspend the Region’s budget share altogether.  When Peshmerga forces took control of security in Kirkuk in 2014, the KRG also seized the province’s bountiful oilfields.  When Iraqi forces retook these oilfields in October 2017, the KRG lost around half of its oil revenues. Oil exports via the pipeline linking the Kurdistan Region to ports in Turkey were suspended for several months.

Erbil-Baghdad relations have vastly improved since Abdul-Mahdi took office, and exports have resumed. Although a smaller share than before, the Region is again receiving federal funding.  If the KRG does not show it is willing to send even a portion of the oil quota to Baghdad, the Iraqi government may again cut its budget.  Although Iraq is unlikely to use force, the events of October 2017 remain fresh in the minds of Kurdish leaders.  If criticism of Abdul-Mahdi continues, MPs may remove him from office. His predecessor Haider al-Abadi, who took a more uncompromising approach to the KRG, recently hinted he would like to return to power. 

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4 minutes ago, blueskyline said:

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Because he's a very good fellow..........

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