Secured 615 bn dinars
Barzani concludes Baghdad meetings with ongoing security concerns
BAGHDAD, January 14, In a press conference today in Baghdad, President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, expressed his concern over the unceasing drone attacks targeting Erbil, describing them as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and undermining the authority of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. President Barzani voiced his disappointment at not securing guarantees to halt these attacks during his meetings with officials in Baghdad.
“During numerous meetings with all political forces and parties in Iraq, we discussed the salaries of employees in the Kurdistan region and the security situation. As the Kurdistan Region, we need more than 875 billion dinars for salaries. We have been transparent about this issue. In our view, the Kurdistan Regional Government has fulfilled all its commitments to Baghdad, and it’s time for Baghdad to treat the people of the Kurdistan Region in the same way it treats other provinces,” stated Barzani.
He acknowledged Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s assurance to address the issue of the region’s employee salaries, “with a commitment to send 615 billion dinars, despite it not being on the agenda of the Iraqi Council of Ministers’ meeting”.
“The drone attacks weaken the authority of Prime Minister Al-Sudani and breach Iraq’s sovereignty. Our stance is clear: we seek a resolution to these problems and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks. Yet, I have not received any guarantee to stop them. Attacking and violating Erbil’s sovereignty is an infringement on Iraq’s sovereignty, and these attacks cannot continue,” Barzani emphasized.
He also mentioned that a meeting with the Election Commission is scheduled for the next day or thereafter to determine the date for the Kurdistan Parliament elections. This scheduling marks the second time elections get postponed, and Barzani expressed hope that it would be the final instance.
“My meeting with Prime Minister Al-Sudani gave me the impression that all parties are attempting to resolve the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad in accordance with the law,” Barzani noted.
Oil export was a primary topic of discussion with Iraq’s Oil Minister and the Prime Minister. “While I cannot disclose the exact date for the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports, we are on the right path,” Barzani added.
On KDP-PUK relations, he said that after the completion of the electoral procedures for the Iraqi provincial councils, a significant meeting is anticipated between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. This meeting aims to discuss the interests of the Kurdish people in Kirkuk and Mosul.
These remarks come after a series of meetings, Barzani conducted with almost all the key political and governmental figures representing the entire political spectrum in Baghdad.