UK Consul to the Kurdistan Region Rosy Cave speaks to Rudaw's Nma Nabaz on May 3, 2023. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Kingdom’s Consul General to Erbil Rosy Cave told Rudaw last week that they hope for a quick, sustainable solution between Erbil, Baghdad, and Ankara to resume the export of the Kurdistan Region’s oil.
Speaking to Rudaw’s Nma Nabaz, Cave also addressed bilateral relations between her country and the Kurdistan Region, the Region’s internal issues, and the Peshmerga reforms process.
“I think the relations are really warm and friendly,” said the British consul on London-Erbil relations, adding that visits from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in 2021 and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani 2022 only helped broaden those relations.
She believes the visits represented an opportunity for the UK to reaffirm its commitment to the Region’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
The British consul highlighted her country’s efforts in the Kurdistan Region, saying they work with Erbil across all sectors including politics, boosting economic relations, enhancing job opportunities, Peshmerga reforms, and human rights issues.
“In terms of politics, we want to encourage a united Kurdistan Regional Government,” said Cave, expressing hope that the Kurdish political parties can resolve their outstanding issues, as having a untied government also helps in strengthening relations with the UK.
“The more united the government is here, the stronger it is and the stronger our relationship will be,” she added.
Cave also stated that the UK does not want to see any further delay in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections, hoping for a fair and inclusive election process, and adding that they are meeting with the political parties to ensure the elections take place on time.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections are set to be held on November 18, over a year later than its originally scheduled date. The Region was set to hold the elections last year, but it was postponed due to continued disagreements between the blocs over the current electoral law and the electoral commission.
The blocs are yet to reach an understanding on this issue, which could threaten a further delay the elections process.
Kurdistan Region’s oil
The Kurdistan Region’s oil exports have been put on pause since late March following a ruling from a Paris-based arbitration court which deemed that Turkey had breached certain articles of its 1973 pipeline agreement with Iraq.
“We very much hope that there’s going to be a sustainable and legal, technical solution, as soon as it is practicable for all sides,” said Cave, adding that the UK recognizes the importance of the oil industry for Region’s economic prosperity.
Cave expressed hope that Erbil and Baghdad can resolve their disagreement on this matter as well as other outstanding issues.
Erbil and Baghdad signed an agreement in early April to restart the exports, but “technical issues” are still obstructing the resumption process, according to both Kurdistan Region President Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
Ankara has been ordered to pay around $1.5 billion in damages. However, Baghdad must also pay over $527 million to Turkey in reimbursement claims related to equipment and personnel as stipulated by the court ruling.
Peshmerga reforms and ISIS threat
The UK has helped train the Kurdish Peshmerga during the war on the Islamic State (ISIS) and is part of a team of international allies working on major reforms of the Peshmerga ministry.
“It is really important for us in terms of wider regional stability to make sure that we are supporting and providing advice to the Peshmerga so that it can be a sustainable, capable, fighting force,” said Cave, stressing that that would only be possible if all Peshmerga forces are placed under the command and control of the Peshmerga ministry.
Cave stated that the UK still sees a threat remaining from ISIS, but that they are proud to be a part of the global coalition against ISIS and working closely with the Peshmerga and the Iraqi security forces to ensure a lasting defeat of the militant group.
There are up to 1400 British personnel in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq providing military assistance and advice to the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.
Speaking to Rudaw’s Nma Nabaz, Cave also addressed bilateral relations between her country and the Kurdistan Region, the Region’s internal issues, and the Peshmerga reforms process.
“I think the relations are really warm and friendly,” said the British consul on London-Erbil relations, adding that visits from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in 2021 and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani 2022 only helped broaden those relations.
She believes the visits represented an opportunity for the UK to reaffirm its commitment to the Region’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
The British consul highlighted her country’s efforts in the Kurdistan Region, saying they work with Erbil across all sectors including politics, boosting economic relations, enhancing job opportunities, Peshmerga reforms, and human rights issues.
“In terms of politics, we want to encourage a united Kurdistan Regional Government,” said Cave, expressing hope that the Kurdish political parties can resolve their outstanding issues, as having a untied government also helps in strengthening relations with the UK.
“The more united the government is here, the stronger it is and the stronger our relationship will be,” she added.
Cave also stated that the UK does not want to see any further delay in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections, hoping for a fair and inclusive election process, and adding that they are meeting with the political parties to ensure the elections take place on time.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections are set to be held on November 18, over a year later than its originally scheduled date. The Region was set to hold the elections last year, but it was postponed due to continued disagreements between the blocs over the current electoral law and the electoral commission.
The blocs are yet to reach an understanding on this issue, which could threaten a further delay the elections process.
Kurdistan Region’s oil
The Kurdistan Region’s oil exports have been put on pause since late March following a ruling from a Paris-based arbitration court which deemed that Turkey had breached certain articles of its 1973 pipeline agreement with Iraq.
“We very much hope that there’s going to be a sustainable and legal, technical solution, as soon as it is practicable for all sides,” said Cave, adding that the UK recognizes the importance of the oil industry for Region’s economic prosperity.
Cave expressed hope that Erbil and Baghdad can resolve their disagreement on this matter as well as other outstanding issues.
Erbil and Baghdad signed an agreement in early April to restart the exports, but “technical issues” are still obstructing the resumption process, according to both Kurdistan Region President Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
Ankara has been ordered to pay around $1.5 billion in damages. However, Baghdad must also pay over $527 million to Turkey in reimbursement claims related to equipment and personnel as stipulated by the court ruling.
Peshmerga reforms and ISIS threat
The UK has helped train the Kurdish Peshmerga during the war on the Islamic State (ISIS) and is part of a team of international allies working on major reforms of the Peshmerga ministry.
“It is really important for us in terms of wider regional stability to make sure that we are supporting and providing advice to the Peshmerga so that it can be a sustainable, capable, fighting force,” said Cave, stressing that that would only be possible if all Peshmerga forces are placed under the command and control of the Peshmerga ministry.
Cave stated that the UK still sees a threat remaining from ISIS, but that they are proud to be a part of the global coalition against ISIS and working closely with the Peshmerga and the Iraqi security forces to ensure a lasting defeat of the militant group.
There are up to 1400 British personnel in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq providing military assistance and advice to the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.
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