A high-ranking Kurdish delegation visits Baghdad today regarding the oil and gas law

[yota691]

Al-Sudani faces the dangers of the KDP's withdrawal from the coalition forming the government

 

February 17, 2023

BAGHDAD/Obelisk: After more than a year of political stalemate, Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani could face a debilitating new crisis with Kurdish leaders, which risks undermining his efforts to set policies and control the much-needed state budget.

 

Sudani's government was approved in October, and he has since pledged to reform the economy, fight corruption, improve crumbling public services and combat poverty and unemployment - not easy goals in a country starving for stability and cash since the 2003 US-led invasion.

 

Without the support of the powerful Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which helped bring him to power and has 31 seats in parliament, Al-Sudani will find it difficult to push his agenda forward.

 

The central government's strained relations with the Kurds, who have been an essential part of the Iraqi political scene since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, could undermine Sudani's efforts after a long period of paralysis in the state's affairs.

 

According to two Iraqi deputies and a Kurdish government official, the KDP may withdraw its support for the federal government if Al-Sudani fails to fulfill his pledges to resolve long-standing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

 

That would leave him in a difficult position to pass bills in parliament and enact reforms.

 

Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah, said that the Federal Court's decision not to pay the dues of the Kurdistan region "caused concern" for the Sudanese.

 

Before Al-Sudani formed his government, he concluded an agreement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, which dominates the administration in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, which enjoys semi-autonomous rule in the north of the country.

Three Kurdish officials said the agreement included ending a long-running dispute over the transfer of the budget to Erbil and the sharing of oil revenues between the central government and Kurdistan.

 

Under the Iraqi constitution, Kurdistan is entitled to a portion of the country's budget, but that arrangement collapsed in 2014 when the Kurds began selling crude oil from Kurdistan independently.

 

In 2017, Iraqi forces regained control of disputed areas, including the oil city of Kirkuk, and Baghdad resumed paying some budget allocations, but it was happening sporadically.

 

According to one Kurdish official, the KDP has made it clear that it will withdraw its support for al-Sudani if he does not live up to his commitments.

 

Political analyst Muhammad al-Khattab believes that the decision of the Federal Court to prevent sending the sums due to Kurdistan and in this way prevents our people and brothers Kurds from living a decent life and eliminates an important and essential segment of the segments of Iraq and starves them.

 

Al-Sudani took power after more than a year of political stalemate, as internal disputes in Shiite and Kurdish groups prevented the formation of the government, which hindered efforts to rebuild the country, which has been suffering due to a conflict that has been going on for decades.

 

This state of paralysis has left the country without a budget for 2022, withholding spending on much-needed infrastructure and economic reform projects, and denying the Kurdish authorities the revenues needed to pay international oil companies and the salaries of thousands of workers in Kurdistan.

 

An official in the Kurdistan Democratic Party said after the formation of the government last year that the Kurds wanted to end the stalemate and that is why they supported the Sudanese government, but if the other side failed to provide what was required of it, they would withdraw this support.

 

"There are some political forces that are trying to break our will, and we reject that and we will not allow it," said Shwan Taha, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

 

In January, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court ruled that orders by the Baghdad government to transfer funds to the Kurdistan Regional Government to pay salaries for 2021 and 2022 were illegal because they violated Iraq's budget law.

 

Masoud Barzani, the leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party in the region, said, "It is surprising that whenever a positive atmosphere prevails between the region and Baghdad and the opportunity arises to address problems, the Federal Court immediately destabilizes this opportunity and aborts the opportunity to issue a hostile decision and has become a reason for complicating disputes, and it seems that it is being implemented." suspicious agenda and replaces the Revolutionary Court in the previous regime.”

 

Jutiar Adel, a spokesman for the Kurdistan government, said that the "politically motivated" court is trying to spoil the agreement between Erbil and Baghdad.

A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government visited Baghdad on Monday to discuss the budget as well as hydrocarbon laws. A source familiar with the meetings said there was still a big divergence between Erbil and Baghdad over the hydrocarbon law.

 

Other politicians in al-Sudani's camp in Baghdad consider escalation with the Kurds through the use of such court rulings as a necessary political tactic to give him a stronger negotiating position, according to members of parliament.

 

But Adel, the KRG spokesman, is still hoping for a compromise. He said that the delegation of the regional government will visit Baghdad again on Sunday, and denied that the Kurdistan Democratic Party is threatening to withdraw its support for the government in Baghdad.

 

He said that there are obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement with Baghdad, but there is a serious and real intention to reach an agreement on the part of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and that the regional government also feels the Sudanese's seriousness in efforts to solve these obstacles.

 

[BETTYBOOP]

I am right in thinking most of the federal Court judges are Malaki 's "friends?" Things that make you go hhhmmmm. 

[keylime]

I think the will to do this on both sides will get it done. The pressure on them is enormous. This week's meeting from Sunday to Tuesday will be big and give them the opportunity to overcome their differences once and for all, at least on paper where they can vote and pass the HCL. I am actually feeling very positive even as I am reserving my excitement over this next and hopefully final stage of their talks.

I'm praying a Spirit of Agreement will prevail and they, as well as us Dinar holders, can finally move on to greener pastures. Their people need and deserve it for the hell they've been through and I'd like to think we should enjoy the fruits of our investment that most of us have held for so long.

Let February be the month of AGREEMENT and let us MARCH into the RV with celebration and joy!

 

This little blurb from Sunsigns.org says it best.

February Symbolism Spiritual Meaning

It signifies change that is long-term and will assist you in making good things in your entire life. You have to be considerate of the good things that will accompany success. Everything you put your effort into will be important when you think of success from a positive perspective. So, be consistent in what you do as you aim to bring good change into your future. Dreams are driving you in the right way, and it’s your hard work that will bring your results to a close.

and

 

February Meaning and Symbolism

Coming just after January, the month of new beginnings, is February. From the Latin word Februarius, meaning “to purify,” February was known as the “Month of Purification” during ancient Roman times. It is a transitional time, finding itself just after a month of reflection and new year’s resolutions.

 

March Symbolism Meaning: Boldness And Victory

[horsesoldier]

Boldness & Victory...I was born in March, describes me perfectly... 😂

[T B]

yes , JUST HAD MY BIRTHDAY 15 TH , IM ALWAYS BLESSED, IM STILL ALIVE ,THANK GOD , IM BLESSED IN THE CITY BLESSED IN THE FEILD, BLESSED COMING IN AN BLESSED GOING OUT,  PRAISED THE LORD !

[keylime]

1 hour ago, T B said:

yes , JUST HAD MY BIRTHDAY 15 TH , IM ALWAYS BLESSED, IM STILL ALIVE ,THANK GOD , IM BLESSED IN THE CITY BLESSED IN THE FEILD, BLESSED COMING IN AN BLESSED GOING OUT,  PRAISED THE LORD !

Amen! I am blessed that same way:)

[Rochester]

Checked out some new golf clubs this morning. Just in case. 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️⛳

[horsesoldier]

24 minutes ago, Rochester said:

Checked out some new golf clubs this morning. Just in case. 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️⛳

Yep...checking out the real good Champagne this time and without the Ripple this time...no more drinking Champipple for me. Gonna drink Champagne like a good Tycoon.

 

[T B]

DO YOU KNOW THIS IS THE SEASON?  OH YES! THE BIBLE TELLS US SO!  GOTTA HANG ON AND WAIT FOR FATHER GOD TO BLESS US! WE CANT DO THIS ALONE! OH YES! OUR TIMEING IS NOT HIS ! YOULL SEE! HA! HA!

[6ly410]

Iraqi oil and gas law "no agreement" internal and the Kurdistan Region fears the impact of the external decision

Iraqi oil and gas law "without agreement" internal and the Kurdistan Region fears the impact of the external decision - Shafaq News

2023-02-18 03:08

Negotiations continue between Baghdad and Erbil on reaching an agreed version of the oil and gas law, which is 16 years old without reaching the enactment of legislation, while the main Kurdish parties express their "fear" of the impact of an external decision that pushes for not legislating it parliamentary.

Nihad al-Khayyat, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told Shafaq News Agency that "this law and other laws have gone on for years without solutions, and without any explanation to public opinion about the reasons for not approving this law, despite its association with Iraqi citizens from north to south."

"The governments of Baghdad and Ariel must be serious about resolving the dispute over it, as it is linked to the implementation of other laws such as the federal budget law, so resolving the law paves the way for resolving long-disputed files," Khayat said.

He pointed out that "the prevailing atmosphere now is better than in the past period, despite the visit of dozens of Kurdish delegations to the capital Baghdad to negotiate on this issue, and therefore this issue must be resolved before the adoption of the federal budget for the current year."

Members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) find that the region's steps are moving day after day towards calm and a statement of goodwill to solve problems and reach commonalities that serve the public interest, but Baghdad has not yet made up its mind to resolve these differences.

Sarbast Barzo, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that "the problem about this law and other laws lies in the fact that the region every four years and sometimes every year or two has a new government and new positions from Baghdad, and therefore these problems are stagnating."

"Although the region has gone dozens of times to Baghdad to solve these problems, we expect that there will be external hands from some regional countries pushing to rotate the problems, which makes the problem stagnate," he said.

Barzo explained that "Baghdad wants to control the region's oil and at the same time does not want to hand over the region's share of the budget in accordance with legal standards, in this case the regional government will face a major problem related to the citizens' food and monthly salaries."

"The regional government is in favor of resolving all differences at the negotiating table without any external party influencing the Iraqi decision, and this is evident through the goodwill messages sent by the region to the Baghdad authorities over the past years, at a time when these messages are met with cutting off people's livelihoods and filing a legal complaint against the Kurdish people," he said.

On February 11, 2023, the official spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government, Jotyar Adel, announced the arrival of a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government to the capital, Baghdad, to resume dialogue on the outstanding files between Erbil and Baghdad, most notably the Kurdistan Region's share of the federal budget, the oil and gas law, and other files of common interest.

The presidents of the federal government, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and the region, Masrour Barzani, agreed to resolve differences and outstanding issues, including the files of the fiscal budget for the year 2023, and the oil and gas law in accordance with the country's permanent constitution.

This came during a meeting between them in the capital, Baghdad, on 11/1/2023.

The oil and gas law is still controversial in Iraq after talk of preparing a new version of it, following signs of disagreement over its passage in light of the divergent opinions about it within the coordination framework.

The oil and gas law, which has been stalled in the Iraqi parliament since its first session until today, is one of the most prominent points on which there has been a preliminary agreement between the two sides, but there are signs of disagreement that may affect the possibility of its passage.

[yota691]

'In one sentence'.. the region reveals the results of today's dialogue with the federal government

2023.02.19 - 16:23

 

Baghdad - Nas  

The Information and Information Office in the region announced, on Sunday, the results of the last meeting between the Kurdistan government and the federal government delegation.  

  

 

  

  

And the office stated in a statement, a copy of which "NAS" received (February 19, 2023), that "a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government met a delegation from the federal government - the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad."  

  

He added that "the meeting decided to form a joint committee to prepare and draft a draft federal oil and gas law."  

[yota691]

'Oil And Gas'.. The Region Announces The Outcomes Of Its Last Meeting With The Federal Delegation

19/02/2023

1021

 

Earth News / The Information and Information Office in the region announced today, Sunday, the results of the last meeting between the Kurdistan government and the federal government delegation.

The office stated in a statement, a copy of which Earth News received, that "a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government met a delegation from the federal government - the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad."

He added, "The meeting decided to form a joint committee to prepare and draft a draft federal oil and gas law."

[BETTYBOOP]

More delay.... 

[yota691]

A joint committee between Baghdad and Erbil to prepare the oil and gas law

2023-02-19 08:39

 

Shafaq News/ The Media and Information Department of the Kurdistan Regional Government announced, on Sunday, that the Kurdish delegation agreed with the Federal Ministry of Oil to form a joint committee to prepare and write the oil and gas law.

 

 

The department stated, in a statement received by Shafaq News agency, that this agreement was reached during the delegation's meeting with the Federal Ministry of Oil, after its arrival today, Sunday, in Baghdad, to resume negotiations on outstanding issues.

 

It is scheduled that the Kurdish delegation will hold several meetings with government agencies in Baghdad to discuss issues related to oil, the budget, the disputed areas and the region's financial dues.

[yota691]

Al-Maliki's coalition pledges approval of the budget to resolve the differences between Erbil and Baghdad

2023-02-19 06:33

 

 

Shafaq News/ The representative of the State of Law bloc, Muhammad Al-Shammari, pledged, on Sunday, the approval of the draft budget law for the current year, to resolve the differences and outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

 

Al-Shammari said, in a statement to Shafaq News agency, that the differences and outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, in addition to changing the exchange rate of the dollar, all of these matters caused a delay in voting on the draft budget law in the Council of Ministers.

 

 

 

He added that voting on the budget law and sending it to Parliament is linked to resolving the differences between Erbil and Baghdad, but he added that there is no specific date for sending the budget law to Parliament.

 

Last week, a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government visited the capital, Baghdad, and engaged in a round of dialogues with the ministries of finance, planning, and oil, to return today to resume discussions about the region's share of the budget, in addition to working on the legislation of the oil and gas law and other issues.

 

It is noteworthy that the financial budget for the past year 2022 was not approved by the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives due to the turmoil that Iraq witnessed after the early elections in October 2021, which escalated to dangerous levels that ended with the events of the Green Zone, with armed confrontations between supporters of the Sadrist movement and the security forces, which claimed lives. Dozens and hundreds injured.

 

After the end of the crisis, with the agreement of the political blocs to elect the President of the Republic and to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani, the latter pledged that he would present the draft federal budget law for the year 2023 as soon as possible.

[yota691]

Minister: The region will not extend the election date for another year and needs $620 million a month to cover salaries

2023-02-19 03:19

 

 

Shafaq News/ Peshtwan Sadiq, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, member of the political bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said on Sunday that the region will not extend the date for holding the legislative elections for the Kurdistan Parliament to another year.

 

Sadiq said in a statement to reporters today in Erbil, that the elections are a democratic process, and no party may prevent the exercise of this matter.

 

 

 

He added that there is no longer any room for extending the elections for another year, expressing his hope that the election law will be amended soon to proceed with holding elections this year.

 

He was asked about the possibility of the federal government refinancing the monthly salaries of employees and workers in the public sector in the region. The minister replied, saying: We need 620 million dollars to cover the monthly salaries of employees, and what Baghdad sent monthly was 137 million dollars, when the exchange rate of the dinar was 1450 dinars against One dollar at a time when Iraq's financial revenues are not less than 8 billion dollars per month, and what is surprising to us is that the federal government deals in this way with the Kurdistan Region.

 

And he added that, until now, Baghdad has not sent 200 billion dinars, and I see that there is no intention to send this amount.

[yota691]

Erbil reached an agreement with Baghdad on the law of oil and gas

 

policy |Today, 16:48 |

    

 

 

Baghdad today - Baghdad

Today, Sunday, the Kurdistan Regional Government announced that it had reached an agreement with Baghdad to form a joint committee to draft a draft federal oil and gas law.

 

The Information and Information Department of the regional government said in a statement received by "Baghdad Today", that "the delegation of the Kurdistan Regional Government met in Baghdad today, Sunday, February 19, 2023, with the delegation of the federal government - the Ministry of Oil."

 

According to the statement, it was decided during the meeting to form a joint committee to prepare and draft a draft federal oil and gas law.

[yota691]

The Kurdistan Parliament identifies two points of contention that prevent the Baghdad and Erbil agreement - Urgent

 

policy |Today, 17:43 |

    

 

 

 

Baghdad today - Baghdad

Today, Sunday, a member of the Kurdistan Region Parliament, Jihad Hassan, identified the most prominent points of disagreement between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

 

Hassan said in an interview with (Baghdad Today), "The most prominent points of disagreement are the failure to reach a specific formula regarding the delivery of financial revenues and oil revenues from the region, and will it (oil) be delivered to the Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) or will it be delivered as money?"

 

He added, "The other points of contention are the lack of agreement on the specific percentage of the budget, as the region requests 14%, while the political blocs insist on 12% for the region, which is insufficient in view of the obligations owed by the Kurdistan government."

 

It is noteworthy that the outstanding files between Baghdad and Erbil are among the most prominent problems faced by successive Iraqi governments, and among the most important of those files that need dialogue and common understandings are the salaries of employees of the Kurdistan region, security coordination in the disputed areas, and agreement on a mechanism for exporting oil from the fields of the region.

 

And in signs of a breakthrough over the oil dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, which is the most complex file between them, the Kurdistan Regional Government announced today, Sunday, in a statement that an agreement had been reached with Baghdad to form a joint committee to draft a draft federal oil and gas law.

 

A statement by the regional government indicated that its delegation met in Baghdad today, with the delegation of the federal government - the Ministry of Oil, and it was decided during the meeting to form a joint committee to prepare and draft a draft federal oil and gas law.

 

And the Prime Minister, Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani, announced in a symposium in which he participated yesterday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that "the draft oil and gas law will be enacted during the current year 2023."

[yota691]

Masoud Barzani and Al-Khanjar stress the importance of implementing the terms of the political agreement of the State Administration Coalition

 2023/02/19

 

 3020

 

Baghdad / resource news

 

Today, Sunday, the leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, and the Sovereignty Alliance, Khamis Al-Khanjar, stressed the importance of implementing the terms of the political agreement for the State Administration Coalition.

A statement from Barzani's office stated, "Masoud Barzani met in Salah al-Din today, Saturday, the head of the Sovereignty Alliance, Khamis Khanjar, and his accompanying delegation."

The statement continued, "The two parties discussed at the meeting the political situation in Iraq and steps to implement the political agreement between the constituent parties of the State Administration Coalition, where the support of the Iraqi government to implement the agreement was emphasized."

The statement added, "The meeting also witnessed a discussion of relations between the Kurdistan region and the federal government, and adhering to the principles of partnership, balance, and compatibility between the two parties."

[mally2]

Great news. I’d have to think after 20 plus years they’d have to have a pretty good rough draft ready

[Half Crazy Runner]

33 minutes ago, yota691 said:

the region requests 14%, while the political blocs insist on 12%

The same disagreement they’ve been having for years! You’d think  they could say 13% and call it even.  

[yota691]

Patriotic Kurdistan: We did not prevent the government from sending 200 billion to Kurdistan

 

February 19, 2023

Baghdad / Obelisk: A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Ghiath Al-Sorji, confirmed that his party did not stop or prevent the Sudanese government from sending an amount of 200 billion dinars per month to Kurdistan, denying the Democrat's accusations that his party was behind the decision to stop sending those sums.

Al-Surji said in a statement followed by Al-Masalla, “The two parties, the National Union and the Democratic Party, did not meet in the recent period, except for what was held from a single meeting, after which it was agreed to continue the dialogues, as the existing differences cannot be resolved through one or two meetings.”

He added, "There is an exacerbation of problems and differences between the two parties, especially since the Democratic Party and some of its websites have accused the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of cutting off the sums that Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani agreed to send to the region, amounting to 200 billion dinars as a monthly grant for employee salaries."

And he indicated that “the union never interfered with the file of funds sent from Baghdad to Erbil, and worked as a result of this accusation to boycott the meetings, although there is continuous communication, and meetings between the two parties may be resumed during the current week.”

[6ly410]

The Minister of Oil receives the delegation of the Kurdistan Region to discuss common issues

Sunday 19, February 2023 23:46 |PoliticalViews: 144

The Minister of Oil receives the delegation of the Kurdistan Region to discuss common issues (ninanews-com.translate.goog)

Baghdad /NinaDeputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani received a delegation from the Kurdistan Region to discuss common issues. According to a statement by the Ministry of Oil, Abdul Ghani received the delegation from the Kurdistan region, which included a number of officials.

He added that "this visit comes within a series of meetings conducted by the delegation of the region with officials in the Ministry of Oil to discuss and review issues of common interest between the center and the region, especially the oil and energy file." / End9

[6ly410]

All News

 

'In one sentence'. The Region reveals the results of today's dialogue with the Federal Government

2023.02.19 - 16:23

'In one sentence'. The Region reveals the results of today's dialogue with the Federal Government (nasnews.com)

 

Baghdad - Nas  

The Information and Information Office in the region announced on Sunday the results of the recent meeting between the Kurdistan Government and the delegation of the Federal Government.  

 

  

The office stated in a statement received by NAS (February 19, 2023), that "a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government met with a delegation from the Federal Government - Ministry of Oil in Baghdad."  

  

"The meeting decided to form a joint committee to prepare and draft the federal oil and gas bill," he said.  

[6ly410]