KRG Ministry of Natural Resources

Translation of statement from the KRG's Press Office.

http://cabinet.gov.krd/a/d.aspx?s=040000&l=13&a=53467

June 17, 2015

The Regional Council for Oil and Gas Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) met today, June 17, 2015 with the five political parties in the Kurdistan Regional Government.

In the meeting, they discussed the recent developments on oil issues between the KRG and Federal Government and highlighted the fact that while the KRG is fully committed to the agreement and Iraq’s 2015 Budget Law, Iraq’s Federal Government is not committed.

The meeting agreed the following points:

1-    The KRG strives to solve all its problems with Baghdad through dialogue and discussion and in light of Iraq’s Federal Budget Law No. (2) of 2015, because this is in the interest of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

2-    If Iraq’s Federal Government does not commit to the Federal Budget Law, the KRG is obliged to consider other solutions to provide for the livelihoods of the Kurdistan Region’s people and to solve the financial and economic crisis of the Kurdistan Region, as legally provided for within the framework of Kurdistan Parliament’s Law No. (5) of 2013.

3-    The political parties support the KRG taking any decisions to help solve the financial and economic crises, and to provide for the livelihoods of the Kurdistan Region’s people, especially since the fight against terrorism (ISIS) and the sheltering of a large number of refugees and IDPs have increased the burden on the Kurdistan Region.

4-    Even if any decision is taken to solve the crisis, the KRG still hopes to solve its problems with Baghdad through dialogue, discussion and understanding. At no time does the KRG intend to cut its ties with Baghdad, because Iraq has geographic, social, economic, trade and political dimensions for the Kurdistan Region.