logo
Kurdistan-Baghdad talks enter new phase

Kurdistan-Baghdad talks enter new phase

Shafaq News3 days ago
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil
A Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday to deliver a response to federal proposals aimed at resolving outstanding issues, including the salary crisis.
According to Shafaq News correspondent, the response addresses Baghdad's proposed framework and opens the door for joint discussions on a mechanism to ensure consistent wage disbursement to Kurdish public employees, as well as other issues of common interest.
Cabinet officials indicated that the Council of Ministers may vote on the agreement during its July 8 session, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
The renewed dialogue comes after months of salary disruptions affecting tens of thousands of civil servants in the Region, amid disputes over oil revenues, federal budget entitlements, and constitutional obligations.
Senior political figures, including Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani, have called for a swift, depoliticized resolution based on legal mechanisms and shared national priorities.
Federal authorities insist that the KRG fully comply with oil export procedures, particularly channeling crude through the state-run SOMO company and depositing revenues into federal accounts, while Kurdish officials argued they have met all requirements, accusing Baghdad of breaching prior agreements by withholding funds.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US dollar exchange rate remains stable in Baghdad, increases in Erbil
US dollar exchange rate remains stable in Baghdad, increases in Erbil

Iraqi News

time2 hours ago

  • Iraqi News

US dollar exchange rate remains stable in Baghdad, increases in Erbil

Baghdad ( – The exchange rate for the US dollar compared to the Iraqi dinar remained stable on Wednesday in Baghdad and slightly rose in the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Erbil. The US dollar exchange rate remained stable in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges, reaching 1,413 Iraqi dinars throughout the day. The exchange rate in currency exchange shops in Baghdad ranged between 1,422.5 dinars and 1,402.5 dinars, Shafaq News reported. In Erbil, the US dollar exchange rate slightly rose, fluctuating between 1,411 and 1,410 Iraqi dinars. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) said in February 2023 that it has begun using the new US dollar exchange rate of 1,300 dinars to every US dollar. The previous official exchange rate was 1,450 dinars to one US dollar, which was being exchanged in the parallel market at a rate of 1,550 dinars. While the official exchange rate was 1,450 dinars per dollar in January 2023, the US currency was being exchanged at 1,610 dinars during the same month in the parallel market in Iraq. This variation represented a more than 10 percent difference in exchange rates.

Iraq's import procedures: Baghdad and Erbil seek unification
Iraq's import procedures: Baghdad and Erbil seek unification

Shafaq News

time3 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq's import procedures: Baghdad and Erbil seek unification

Shafaq News - Baghdad/Erbil The Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) met with a delegation from the Kurdistan Region to unify import procedures across Iraq, the Ministry of Planning announced on Wednesday. The meeting, part of the implementation of Ministerial Order No. 79/S of 2024, follows a recent agreement between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to align customs and quality control practices nationwide. Chaired by COSQC President Fayadh Mohammed Abd, the session brought together federal and regional officials to discuss practical steps for enforcing the agreement. 'The initiative aims to streamline trade at border crossings by standardizing product specifications and inspection protocols,' he stated. He also highlighted the need for continued coordination between Baghdad and Erbil to ensure effective implementation, enhance transparency, and protect consumers through consistent national quality standards. Meanwhile, the KRG delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement and expressed its intent to deepen economic integration with the federal government, aiming to benefit citizens throughout Iraq. Issued earlier this year, the ministerial order seeks to harmonize technical requirements for imports and facilitate smoother trade between the Kurdistan Region and the rest of the country. The unified approach is expected to create a more transparent business environment and shield local markets from non-compliant goods.

Iraq's oil reserves top 145 billion barrels, minister confirms
Iraq's oil reserves top 145 billion barrels, minister confirms

Shafaq News

time3 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq's oil reserves top 145 billion barrels, minister confirms

Shafaq News – Vienna/Baghdad Iraq's proven reserves have surpassed 145 billion barrels of crude oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad announced on Wednesday. During a panel discussion at the Ninth International OPEC Workshop in Vienna, Al-Sawad emphasized the need for strong and consistent government commitments to finance energy projects across all sectors to ensure long-term energy security. He underscored the continued importance of fossil fuels in meeting global energy demands, describing them as a key driver not only for infrastructure growth but also for advancing clean energy efforts, especially in developing countries that require economic support to improve vital sectors such as healthcare, education, and essential services. Al-Sawad highlighted that 'sustained investment in oil and gas remains critical for both global energy stability and inclusive economic development.' However, he warned that current investment levels are insufficient to meet future demand, particularly as the global population and industrial activity continue to grow. Adequate financing, he stressed, is necessary to balance traditional energy supply with progress in clean energy technologies. The minister also outlined Iraq's role in the global energy transition, pointing to major initiatives aimed at capturing associated and natural gas that would otherwise be flared. 'These efforts align with Iraq's climate commitments and aim to strike a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility,' he affirmed. Iraq is currently advancing large-scale projects to convert flared gas into electricity, helping to cut carbon emissions, improve domestic energy security, and reduce dependence on imported fuels. He also noted Iraq's ongoing efforts to develop independent natural gas fields in partnership with leading international companies, a move intended to position the country as a future player in the global gas market.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store