Latest news with #9thSulaimaniForum
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq amends Budget Law to pay oil firms operating in Kurdistan, says official
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi government has revised the national budget law to guarantee payments to international oil companies working in the Kurdistan Region, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani announced on Wednesday. Speaking at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, Abdul Ghani revealed that negotiations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) led to the amendment, designed to cover operational costs for energy companies in the semi-autonomous region. 'The budget law has been updated specifically to facilitate payments to companies operating in the Kurdistan Region,' Abdul Ghani explained, adding that a formal letter, signed by the Iraqi finance minister, has been issued to ensure these payments. 'This move has reassured producers and alleviated their concerns.' Abdul Ghani also pointed out that oil produced in the Kurdistan Region is counted as part of Iraq's national quota under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). To comply with OPEC limits, the federal government had to reduce its own production, which has negatively affected Iraq's overall export capacity. His comments come ahead of a high-level meeting scheduled between Baghdad and Erbil on Saturday to discuss the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. Exports through the Iraq-Turkiye pipeline were halted in March 2023 following an international arbitration ruling in Paris, which determined that Turkiye violated a 1973 agreement by allowing the KRG to independently export oil without Baghdad's approval. The stoppage blocked approximately 450,000 barrels per day of crude, cutting off the KRG's primary revenue stream. This disruption has strained the Kurdistan Region's finances, triggered production cuts, and increased reliance on budget transfers from the federal government. Abdul Ghani noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's recent visit to the Kurdistan Region and his discussions with local officials were instrumental in accelerating the negotiations and facilitating recent agreements.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: UN Iraq envoy says mission no longer needed
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Mohamed al-Hassan, declared that the country has made 'substantial progress' in its political and security environment. 'Iraq has reached a stage where it no longer needs the UN mission —an indicator of the improved situation,' al-Hassan remarked during the 9th Sulaimani Forum, emphasizing that Iraq's stability underpins regional security. He also described the upcoming 2025 elections as 'a key constitutional juncture,' noting the UN's continued commitment to supporting Iraq's reform and development. The Special Representative urged coordinated regional and global efforts to advance stability, peace, and respect for human dignity.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: Iraqi PM confirms Syria's al-Sharaa's Arab summit attendance
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani outlined, on Wednesday, key steps to restructure Iraq's security forces, redefine the role of international troops, and advance economic reforms. Speaking at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, al-Sudani confirmed his government's commitment to implementing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Administrative Structure Law, stating that the legislation defines the PMF's legal and operational framework and aims to fully integrate the force within Iraq's official security apparatus. 'This government has moved to organize the security institutions and ensure weapons are held exclusively by the state,' he declared. On the economic front, the Iraqi PM cited a 128% increase in customs revenues and a decline in annual inflation to 2.7%, describing the reforms as 'structural and necessary,' centered on revamping the banking system, encouraging private-sector growth, and attracting foreign investment. 'We are working to break the cycle of corruption and poor resource management.' Addressing relations with foreign powers, Al-Sudani urged a review of Iraq's cooperation with the US Global Coalition against ISIS, stressing that foreign forces now serve only in advisory capacities. 'Iraq today is not the Iraq of 2014,' he asserted, calling for a new structure that aligns with current realities. He also confirmed that Syrian Transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17, stating, 'An official invitation has been extended.'
