A high-level delegation of the KRG, led by PM Barzani visited Baghdad on Wednesday, meeting with Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and discussing outstanding issues between the regional and federal governments.
The Kurdistan Region’s Council of Minister held a meeting on Sunday to review the outcomes of the visit to Baghdad.
“We felt that there is a positive atmosphere and a good opportunity to resolve issues with the federal government on the basis of the constitution and within the framework of the political parties’ agreement to form the government and the ministerial agenda approved by the Iraqi Council of Ministers,” a statement from the KRG cited the Kurdish premier as saying during the meeting.
Erbil’s share in the 2023 federal budget, drafting of an Iraqi oil and gas law, the Shingal agreement, and the federal rights of the Peshmerga forces, were some of the topics addressed during Barzani’s meeting with Sudani.
Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad have been high since the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court in February deemed the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas law “unconstitutional,” hence striking the independence of the Region’s energy sector and jeopardizing its industry. The KRG has repeatedly challenged the constitutionality of the court’s ruling.
