Stronger Kurdistan

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Edited January 29, 2020 by 6ly410

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Edited January 29, 2020 by 6ly410

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[DinarThug]

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister arrives in Iraq ... These are the most prominent files of his visit

 
 

2020-01-29 09:41:12 

 

 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bakdanov arrived on Wednesday in Erbil.

A government source said, "Today, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bakdanov arrived in Erbil."

The source added, "Bakdanov will stay for two days and hold a series of meetings with government officials and discuss a series of files, the most prominent of which are related to oil and political developments in Iraq and western Kurdistan."

LINK

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A deputy warns against a repeat of the 2014 scenario with the 2020 budget

 

 

 

11:12 - 01/29/2020

 

 

The deputy of the Alliance of Raiders Riyad Al-Masoudi affirmed on Wednesday that the parliament and the government do not want to make the same mistake that the previous government made in 2014 when it went toward not approving the budget, warning of a repeat of the 2014 scenario of losing money without closing accounts.

Al-Masoudi said in a statement to "Information", that "the budget will pass in any way despite the large financial deficit", noting that "the lack of approval of the 2014 budget as well as the lack of final accounts confused the work of the legislative and executive authorities."

He added that "the greatest risk that Iraq will be exposed to when it goes towards an estimated budget and not an actual one in which spending will take place without legislation by the House of Representatives."

Al-Masoudi pointed out that, "given the vacancy of the post of prime minister after his resignation was accepted by the House of Representatives, renewed fears among the House of Representatives of the repetition of the events of 2014 in relation to the non-approval of the budget."

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A Delegation From The Kurdistan Government Visits Baghdad To Negotiate With The Federal Government

 

 

30th January, 2020

 

The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Bikard Talabani, announced on Thursday that a delegation from the ministry will visit the capital, Baghdad, soon to negotiate with the federal government to exchange the financial dues for the farmers of the region for the marketing of wheat crop.

Talabani told reporters in front of the provincial parliament building that a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture will visit Baghdad during the next two weeks on the issue of financial dues to farmers and other issues.

She added that the ministry had provided the delegation of the regional government negotiating with the federal government with a file related to farmers' dues, and the delegation included it in its program package.

Dozens of farmers demonstrated on Monday in front of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament building in the city of Erbil to protest against the failure of the federal government to pay their financial dues for the wheat crop.

The demonstrators also called for the provincial government and parliament to form a joint committee to negotiate with the federal government to spend the remainder of their dues. And Baghdad sent last year an amount of 51 billion dinars to the region as a payment for farmers' dues.

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Good luck with that.

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The Kurdistan government: We hope that the problems with Baghdad will be resolved quickly according to the constitution

 

http://www.ikhnews.com/index.php?page=article&id=208403

03-02-2020 04:05 PM

Baghdad - news

Today, Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government expressed its wishes to resolve outstanding problems with Baghdad quickly and within the framework of the constitution, noting that the reform process continues until justice is established.

A government statement, which was received by "Al-Ikhbaria", stated that the Kurdistan Regional Council of Ministers held its regular session today under the supervision of the region's president, Nechirvan Barzani, in the presence of Prime Minister Masroor Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

He explained, that at the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Kurdistan Region praised the services provided by the ninth government in general services to citizens, praised the ongoing reform process, and expressed support for these steps, and called for more efforts to provide everything that citizens need.

Barzani confirmed that the region will remain an auxiliary factor in order for Iraq to regain its normal status, adding: "We hope that the outstanding problems with the federal government will be resolved based on the constitution."

He pointed out that the region will remain a factor of stability in the region, and will maintain balanced relations with all on the basis of mutual respect.

For his part, the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government appreciated the support provided by the Presidency of the region to the government, noting that the reform process will continue until justice is installed and in the public interest, stressing: "We have made attempts to solve problems with the federal government, and we hope that it will be resolved quickly within the framework of the constitution ".

He stressed the need to adhere to the initial agreements reached recently with the federal government.

In another paragraph of the meeting, the Ministers of Health and the Interior presented a detailed report on the measures taken to prevent corona virus, and the two ministers confirmed that no suspected cases or infection of the virus were recorded throughout the region.

Edited February 3, 2020 by 6ly410

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Edited February 3, 2020 by 6ly410

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KRG Council of Ministers and Kurdistan Region Presidency meet to discuss reform, Baghdad relations

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Minister and Kurdistan Region Presidency meeting on Monday January 3, 2020 (Photo Credit: KRG Website)

1 Hours Ago

http://www.nrttv.com/En/News.aspx?id=19436&MapID=1

 

 

SULAIMANI — Officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Council of Ministers and the Kurdistan Region Presidency met on Monday (February 3) to discuss the next steps in the government's reform agenda, as well as relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

“Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani thanked the ninth cabinet for their attempt to implement reform in the government and showed his support for the government in providing services for the population,” the statement said.

In addition to President Barzani, vice presidents Mustafa Said Qadr and Sheikh Jaafar, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani were at the meeting.

Formed over the summer, ten months after regional elections, the government has promised extensive reforms to how government is managed in the Region. Its first major step was to shepherd a pension and salary reform bill through the Kurdistan Parliament last month.

Another major task for the government is to improve relations with the federal government, which itself is undergoing a period of major crisis. In the face of widespread anti-government protests, Adil Abdul Mahdi stepped down two months ago. On Saturday, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi was nominated as a candidate to replace him.

Abdul Mahdi was generally seen as taking a soft approach towards the Kurdistan Region and the ongoing disagreements between Baghdad and Erbil over the budget, oil, the disputed areas, and security.

“The Kurdistan Region will help and support Iraq in passing through these unusual times and hopes that their problems with the federal government are solved based on the constitution and the Region will keep a neutral relationship with all sides,” the statement said.

During the meeting, the KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reassured President Nechirvan Barzani, who is his first cousin and fellow Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) member, that the government would uphold its promises implement its plans for reform and justice.

Prime Minister Barzani also said that he hoped that the new federal government cabinet understands and upholds the preexisting agreements between the two sides, including the draft ones about oil and the budget that were signed at the tail end of Abdul Mahdi's premiership.

The meeting's participants also listened to a report by the Ministries of Health and Interior about the government's coronavirus prevention plan.

So far no cases have been reported in the Kurdistan Region.

(NRT Digital Media)

Edited February 3, 2020 by 6ly410

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Edited February 3, 2020 by 6ly410

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PM Barzani Calls for Full Coordination with Baghdad to Avert "Great Possibility" of IS Resurgence

 

BasNews 04/02/2020 - 21:51 Published in Kurdistan

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/579319

 

 

ERBIL - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has called for full coordination between Erbil and Baghdad so as to avert the"great possibility" of the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

Barzani made the remarks during an exclusive interview with France 24, where he argued that the insurgent group still remains a major security threat, adding that the US and Coalition forces are needed to stay in Iraq to foil any potential plots of the IS.

"We do believe that their presence is still very much needed because ISIS is a major threat. It's not completely defeated. It's not eradicated. It can regroup and attack as they have in many different places," he stated.

He also revealed that the Islamic State jihadist group has more members today than it had in 2013, and that "the root causes which led to its rise have not been adequately addressed."

Barzani also shed light on the current situation in Baghdad and other Iraqi major cities where people have been protesting against the government for months. He reiterated his support for the legitimate demands of the protesters, but reminded that what happens nowadays in Iraq is a result of the bad governance in the country for the past years.

"What we see in Baghdad is actually the result of bad governance for the last fifteen, sixteen years, and many of the protesters that are now protesting and coming to the streets are asking for reforms, for tackling corruption, for a better government, which we fully support the legitimate demands of people," Barzani said.

The Kurdish premier noted that Iraq's caretaker PM Adil Abdul Mahdi, who resigned from his position in November to address the demands of the protesters, tried his best but that he failed to enjoy the support that he deserved from other political factions to continue and implement his agenda.

On the nomination of Mohammed Allawi as the country's prime minister-designate, Barzani hoped that he will enjoy much more support from both people and the political factions.

He also wrote on Twitter that "my government is committed to improving ties with #Baghdad and we’ve made important progress. Focus must now be given to implementing agreements of mutual benefit to the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq."

Edited February 4, 2020 by 6ly410

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Iraqi Kurdistan PM Barzani warns of 'great possibility' of IS group returning

•Feb 4, 2020

 

FRANCE 24 English

 

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, warned "there is a great possibility for ISIS (the Islamic State group) to come back" and urged the international community to take action. He claimed the IS group had more members now than it did in 2013 when it was about to create its "caliphate". Barzani said the terrorist group was taking advantage of the security "vacuum" in areas disputed between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurds. He called for the resumption of full security cooperation between the two parties.

Edited February 4, 2020 by 6ly410

[6ly410]

Great possibility’ of ISIS comeback:PM Barzani

1 hour ago

Karwan Faidhi Dri

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/05022020

 

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani spoke with France 24 in an interview aired Tuesday. Photo: Twitter

 ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani has said that there is a "great possibility" the Islamic State (ISIS) will make a comeback,  warning it has more members than before its rise to power in 2014. 

In an interview with France 24 aired on Tuesday, Barzani said that the root causes of the group’s emergence are still present. 

“There is a great possibility of the reemergence of ISIS. They can regroup very easily and recruit because all the root causes that led to the rise of ISIS and the collaboration of people with ISIS still exist: there is no political instability, there is no prosperity and there is no strong security,” he told France 24’s Marc Perelman.  

“ISIS has more members today than they used to have in 2013, before they started to attack Syria and Iraq and created their own caliphate,” he added. 

The president also called for increased cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad regarding security in the disputed territories, acknowledging that tensions have created a security vacuum in which ISIS can re-group. 

Disputed territories claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil, including the province of Kirkuk and Diyala, have been subject to increased insurgency attacks from ISIS remnants in recent months. 

US troops are “very much needed” to continue the fight against the terror group, Barzani added. 

US missile defense 

Bases hosting US troops  in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq were attacked by Iranian missiles in early January  following the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani by the US in Baghdad a few days earlier. 

This pushed Washington to seek permission from Baghdad to put a defense system in Iraq. 

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said late January that his country has asked Baghdad for permission to deploy a Patriot missile defense system in the country. 

“The US, like any other government, has the right to defend itself…it is up to them how they want to put their defense system to protect themselves,”  he Barzani told Perelman in the interview.. 

 “They have been talking about putting a defense system here but obviously they are waiting to talk to the Iraqi government and get permission from the Iraqi government,” he said when asked if the KRG had been asked about the proposal.
 
He added that the KRG welcomes such a move.

Iraq protests

Barzani also addressed the political instability plaguing Baghdad. 

Discussing the protests that have gripped the south of the country since October, Barzani said the demonstrations were a result of years of “bad governance.”

However, he added that former Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi did not receive the support he “deserved” from other political factions in Baghdad. 

“The previous prime minister Mr Adil Abdul-Mahdi tried his best but unfortunately he did not enjoy the support that he deserved from other political factions to continue and implement his agenda. We do not think that he was responsible for all the problems that the country has,” he said.

Abdul-Mahdi resigned due to pressure from demonstrators but Iraqi political parties failed to agree on a replacement until Saturday, when Iraqi President Barham Salih appointed Mohammed Allawi, a former minister, to form a new cabinet despite his rejection by protesters.

PM Barzani hoped that Allawi “will enjoy much more support from both people and political factions so that he can be successful,” adding that he also hopes the PM-designate will “commit himself to finalizing  the agreement which we think is the best thing for the country.”

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Erbil and Washington stress the necessity of forming a government that carries out reforms that meet the demands of the Iraqis

Political | 06:23 - 05/02/2020

 

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=84983

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News
, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masroor Barzani, and the US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Toller, stressed on Wednesday the necessity of forming a government that undertakes reforms that meet the demands of the Iraqis.
The media office of the Kurdistan government said, in a statement received / Mawazine News / a copy of it, that "Barzani, received the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masroor Barzani, the American ambassador to Iraq Matthew Toller and his accompanying delegation," pointing out that "the meeting discussed the latest developments on the Iraqi arena." And the region in general, as was stressed the importance of stabilizing the situation in Iraq. "
The two parties stressed, "The necessity of forming a government that undertakes the necessary reforms to be at the level of the aspiration of citizens, representing all national and religious components in Iraq, and to have a good relationship with the Kurdistan Region, and to build balanced relations with neighboring countries and the international community based on the public interest." .
They affirmed, "The necessity of continuing to support the international coalition of the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army in the face of the threats of the ISIS terrorist organization." Ended 6/29 n

Edited February 5, 2020 by 6ly410

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KRG to Work with New Govt. in Baghdad for Mutually Respectful Relationship: PM Barzani

 

 Basnews English 05/02/2020 - 22:47 Published in Kurdistan

 

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/579561

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will continue to engage constructively with the new government in Baghdad in order to have a mutually respectful relationship, said Prime Minister Barzani during a meeting with US Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew H. Tueller on Wednesday in Erbil.

PM Barzani and Ambassador Tueller discussed the need for a strong partnership between the federal government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, according to a press release 

The Kurdish prime minister also spoke of the need for stability in Iraq. He asserted that the needs of all ethnic and religious groups must be prioritised so government reforms can succeed.

On the growing threat of the Islamic State (IS), PM Barzani stressed the importance of the Global Coalition's support, and the need for continued cooperation between Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.

 

Edited February 5, 2020 by 6ly410

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Kurdistan President to Hold Meeting with Kurdish Members of Iraqi Parliament

 

 Basnews English 09/02/2020 - 14:34 Published in Kurdistan

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/580366

 

 

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani will host a meeting next Tuesday with the Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament to discuss a range of issues pertaining to the current situation in Iraq.

MP Vian Sabri, head of the KDP faction at the parliament, confirmed the meeting to BasNews and said they will mainly discuss the Erbil-Baghdad relations as well as the formation of the new cabinet of the Iraqi federal government.

BasNews has learned that the heads of different Kurdistani factions will attend the meeting.

MP Sabri also stressed that the meeting is another initiative to unify the Kurdistani factions in the face of the recent rapid developments in Iraq. 

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KRG, Iraq agricultural ministries form committee for strategic cooperation to advance sector

 Kurdistan 24 |

32 minutes ago

 

 

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/33e677b0-b22d-480c-b1e0-5736d9495974

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The flags of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, side by side. (Photo: Archive)

 

Iraq Kurdistan Erbil Baghdad 

A+AA-

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation led by the Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Begard Talabani, met on Sunday with an Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad to discuss a range of files including the compensation of Kurdish farmers for grain delivered to the central government.

The Iraqi ministry said in a statement that Minister of Agriculture Saleh al-Hassani received Talabani, with an accompanying delegation made up of other senior Kurdish officials, including Minister Khalid Shwani.

The statement added that the meeting discussed several files related to developing future strategic plans in light of the recent successes in raising production levels of various crops. The development comes amid ongoing improvements in relations between Baghdad and Erbil following a near-total breakdown in late 2017.

Related Article: Kurdistan negotiating team reveals agreements with Baghdad regarding budget, oil

Hassani stressed that his side would continue working with the Kurdistan Region to equip farmers with tools needed for efficient production and to compensate them for owed dues. He also called on Erbil “not to grant licenses to poultry importers in the region to ensure that they are not sent to other provinces.”

The Minister of Agriculture, Saleh al-Hassani, during a meeting with the Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Begard Talabani, with an accompanying delegation made up of other senior Kurdish officials, including Minister Khalid Shwani. (Photo: Iraqi Agricultural Minister Facebook)

As per the statement, Talabani had delivered her Iraqi counterpart the draft contract of a deal on cooperation and a report on outstanding issues, including compensation packages yet to be rewarded to the region’s wheat farmers for the past few years.

The Kurdish minister also called for needed support for the region’s agricultural sector and aid to farmers to, among others, obtain top-of-the-line seeds. She also noted the need for amendments to relevant legislation that allow effective work in line with modern developments in the field as well as output levels.

From his end, the ministerial advisor working with the Iraqi side, Mahdi al-Qaisi, said there should be joint committees in various fields to control imports and monitor other related activities in the agricultural industry.

The meeting concluded with the formation of a unified higher committee between the two sides that would lay down strategic foundations for agricultural cooperation. The committee would facilitate the modernization of the agricultural sector, and communication with other ministries to compensate farmers for crops delivered to the government.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

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Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate to visit Kurdistan Region soon

 Hiwa Shilani |

February 08-2020     07:33 PM

 

 

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/ec50a883-2c53-4be1-9373-47c132324895

 

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Iraq's newly appointed Prime Minister, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi. (Photo: Archive)

 

Kurdistan Iraq KRG Baghdad Protest 

A+AA-

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) representative in Baghdad announced on Saturday that Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi will visit the Kurdistan Region soon.

Faris Isa, the KRG’s representative in Baghdad, said Allawi had already begun talks with the political factions in Iraq and is planning to visit the autonomous Kurdish region in the next two weeks to discuss the formation of a new federal government.

In his statement, Isa mentioned that the new prime minister would initiate talks with Shias, Sunnis, protesters, and the Kurds to support him in forming a new government.

Senior officials in the Kurdistan Region have previously extended their preparedness to support any Iraqi federal government as long as it fully implements the constitution and respects the recent agreements that Erbil and Baghdad decided upon.  

Last week, Iraqi President Barham Salih designated Allawi, who previously served as Iraq’s minister of communication, to be an interim leader of the government.

Allawi will be responsible to form a cabinet within a month ahead of early legislative elections, which protesters hope will put an end to the seemingly impenetrable ruling class that has dominated Iraqi politics since the fall of the former regime in 2003.

Over 600 people have died, and thousands more injured as ongoing anti-government protests across parts of central and southern Iraq broke out in October 2019.

Protesters call for an end to the public’s economic woes and a complete governmental overhaul amid shortages of public services, high rates of unemployment, and chronic institutional corruption.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

Edited February 9, 2020 by 6ly410