Barzani’s Latest Position on Oil Delivery to Baghdad
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Shafaq News via Mehr News Agency, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, reiterated today, Sunday, that his government is prepared to hand over oil to the federal government in return for ensuring public sector salaries and receiving its portion of the federal budget.
He stated: “There are frequent questions about how the regional government uses its internal revenues. We will not engage in disputes or irresponsible responses to such inquiries aimed at insult or stirring public confusion.”
The Prime Minister stressed: “It is indeed clear that we must have a dedicated budget. Therefore, it is rightful for the region’s share of Iraq’s federal budget to be allocated so that local institutions and citizens can decide how best to use these funds.”
barzani added that recently an agreement was reached between Baghdad and erbil on delivering 50 percent of the region’s internal revenues to the federal government based on constitutional provisions.
He emphasized that while Kurdistan adheres fully to all constitutional responsibilities, it will not concede any rights guaranteed by law. The region continues fulfilling its obligations while safeguarding those rights.
The Prime Minister confirmed that Erbil agreed to supply 230,000 barrels per day to South Oil Company as part of oil marketing efforts and transfer 120 billion Iraqi dinars monthly from internal revenues to Baghdad.
He further noted that amid recent drone attacks targeting oil fields in the region which have reduced production,he hopes Baghdad will not use this as an excuse for withholding salaries.
