KRG Ministry of Natural Resources

Erbil, 20 March 2014

Statement by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani: Oil export initiative by the Kurdistan Regional Government

The negotiations with Baghdad on oil export and budgetary matters are ongoing. These negotiations have not yet resulted in any acceptable agreements.

As a goodwill gesture the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has offered to make a contribution to Iraq oil pipeline exports to give the negotiations the maximum chance of success.

The KRG contribution to oil export will be one hundred thousand (100,000) barrels per day effective from 1st April 2014, and will continue while the negotiations are proceeding in a positive direction.

The KRG has not set any preconditions for this initiative.  In the coming weeks, the KRG will seek a full settlement with Baghdad on the way in which the KRG’s oil exports and oil sales revenues are managed and controlled.

The KRG shall at all times preserve its rights as defined in the permanent Constitution of Iraq.