President Barzani, US delegation discuss Erbil-Baghdad issues

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with a US delegation led by deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, on Wednesday to discuss Erbil-Baghdad tensions and ongoing efforts to form a new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet.

The meeting with Victoria Taylor and her delegation “focused on United States relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the dynamics between Erbil and Baghdad,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

On Monday, President Barzan held a series of meetings with Iraq’s top leaders in Baghdad to discuss unresolved issues between the federal and regional government including the Kurdish region's share in the federal budget.

According to the statement, both President Barzani and the US delegation highlighted the importance of addressing concerns between Erbil and Baghdad with respect to the constitution, legal frameworks, and existing agreements.

Disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over the regional government’s share in the federal budget have remained unresolved for years.

KRG’s civil servants have not been paid on time for years. They have yet to receive December salaries. Erbil and Baghdad have blamed one another for the unpaid salaries. The fate of the January salary also remains unclear.

Kurdistan Region held long-overdue parliamentary elections on October 20 but the political parties have yet to agree on forming a government.

“They discussed the ongoing efforts to establish a new Cabinet for the Kurdistan Regional Government, the current political landscape in Iraq, and recent developments,” the statement from Barzani’s office added.

The American delegation also met with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

“I had a productive meeting with DAS Victoria Taylor to address key priorities: resuming KRI oil exports, ensuring financial entitlements of the people of the Kurdistan Region, and maintaining stability in Iraq and Syria,” said the Kurdish premier.

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