Iraqi PM Al-Sudani, Kurdistan Region President Barzani discuss oil exports

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday in Baghdad to address “key national issues” and advance the government’s cross-sector program, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.

The statement emphasized the need to expedite joint agreements following recent amendments to the Federal Budget Law. Al-Sudani said these measures “serve the national interest, strengthen Iraq’s economy, and meet the needs of its citizens.” He also stressed the importance of restarting oil production in the Kurdistan Region and resuming exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port.

Earlier this month, the Iraqi parliament approved amendments to the federal budget law for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The changes pave the way for the anticipated resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, with sales managed by Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization. Oil exports via the Ceyhan port were halted on March 25, 2023, following an arbitration ruling in Paris against Turkey in a case brought by Iraq.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Saturday, the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani. The meeting included discussions on key national issues and the progress of implementing the government program across various sectors and fields.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of moving forward with the implementation of joint agreements, particularly in light of the recent amendments to the Federal Budget Law passed by the Council of Representatives. He underscored that these measures serve the national interest, strengthen Iraq’s economy, and meet the needs of its citizens. The Prime Minister also stressed the necessity of expediting the resumption of oil production by oil companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and exports via the Ceyhan port in Türkiye.

For his part, Mr. Barzani reaffirmed the commitment to continued communication and cooperation with the federal government to ensure high-level coordination across service and economic sectors, contributing to development, service provision, and the consolidation of stability.