Maliki, Nechirvan Barzani agree on settling all outstanding issues

[Print] [Save] 25/12/2013 17:56:00 Baghdad (NINA) – Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed with Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, on settling all outstanding issues between the Region and the Center. Informed source told NINA on Wednesday, Dec. 25, that Maliki met with Nechirvan Barzani discussing outstanding issues between the Region and the Center; and they have agreed on general settlement. Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday noon, on the head of a delegation consisting of Deputy Prime Minister, Imad Ahmed, and a number of ministers, specialists and advisors to discuss outstanding issues between the Center and the Region. Last Sunday, the Cabinet announced settling discussion on the draft Budget Law for the year 2014, after concluding talks with Kurdistan Region’s delegation. Heres hoping for a very prosperous 2014 for all GKP holders:-) ============ Appears US is also involved behind the scenes..... Prime Minister Barzani in Baghdad to Discuss Oil Export, Kurdistan's Budget By RUDAW 10 minutes ago The main focus of Barzani’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas exports to Turkey and the world market through a new pipeline system that connects both countries. ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani meets with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad today to address Kurdistan’s oil exports and the country’s budget for 2014. Barzani heads a high-level delegation that includes his deputy, Imad Ahmad, the Kurdish Minister of Planning, Ali Sindi and several other government officials. The main focus of Barzani’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas exports to Turkey and the world market through a new pipeline system that connects both countries. A government official told Rudaw that the Kurdish delegation would raise the issue of Kurdistan’s budget with the Iraqi prime minister, which they claim has been reduced to 10 percent by Baghdad, in violation of the Iraqi constitution that allocates 17 percent of the budget to the autonomous Kurdistan Region. Officials from the finance ministry are accompanying Barzani to present their case to Maliki and other central government officials. “The issue of Kurdistan’s share of the defense budget will also be pursued,” said the government official. “According to the constitution, Baghdad is obliged to provide the budget of the Peshmerga forces but in the past ten years that law hasn’t been enforced,” The Kurdish government official also said that America welcomes Barzani’s visit to Baghdad and that a State Department official had a telephone conversation with Barzani on the eve of his visit. Baghdad and Erbil were until recently at loggerheads over Kurdistan’s oil deals with Turkey and other foreign companies. However, in a rare move earlier this month, the Iraqi government consented to Erbil’s oil policy and the export of Kurdistan’s natural resources. According to Kurdistan Region Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, Kurdish oil has been flowing through the new pipeline to Turkey since December 13. The Kurdish prime minister is also expected to meet with Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Hussein Shahristani. In a recent interview with Rudaw, former Iraqi government spokesman Ali Dabagh said that Baghdad “has no other choice but to accept Kurdistan oil exports.” - See more at: ================= ==========