ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Tuesday that Iraq has settled “90 percent” of disagreements with the Kurdistan Region and only a few issues remain amid ongoing political disputes between the two governments.
"It is normal to have disagreements when there are several different opinions," Kadhimi told reporters during a press conference in Baghdad. "There must be good confidence and trust to find a solution between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG]."
Kadhimi added that the two governments should seek a "realistic solution," one that would consider the interests of both parties. He expressed confidence in reaching an agreement soon and reiterated that his government has almost reached an agreement with the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region has outstanding issues with the Iraqi government, most notably regarding the Region's oil and gas law, which it passed in 2007 enabling it to administer and develop its own oil and gas resources.
Iraq's Federal Supreme Court in February found the Region's oil and gas law to be "unconstitutional," therefore striking down the legal basis for the independence of the Kurdistan Region's oil and gas sector, a decision repeatedly slammed by Kurdish leaders.
When asked to comment about the federal court's decision, the Iraqi prime minister said that "the federal court is the highest court in Iraq, and the government is bound by its decisions."
A KRG delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday to meet with representatives of the Iraqi government aiming to reach a resolution on ongoing issues, mainly federal budget and oil and gas disputes.
