Iraqi and Kurdistan Region economic councils meet in Erbil to resolve disputes over salaries, oil, and customs, stressing dialogue and fairness for all regions.
On September 8, 2024, the Iraqi Ministerial Council for Economy and the Economic Council of the Kurdistan Region convened in Erbil, signaling a joint effort to address long-standing economic challenges. The meeting was led by Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), alongside Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministerial Council for Economy, Fuad Hussein, and KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.
The high-level discussions focused on resolving key economic issues between Baghdad and Erbil, with both sides emphasizing the need to respect the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region. Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the importance of fairness, urging the federal government to uphold the rights of the Kurdistan Region on par with other Iraqi provinces like Basra and Baghdad.
Hussein echoed this sentiment, stressing that the federal government was committed to addressing pending issues in accordance with the constitution. The two-day meeting fostered a positive atmosphere, with frank and productive dialogue on issues such as salaries, oil, customs, and border crossings.
As part of their resolutions, the councils agreed to recommend the disbursement of suspended regional salaries and to continue joint committee work to address complex matters. Both parties expressed optimism, with plans for ongoing discussions and future meetings in Baghdad to solidify progress on oil, energy, and other critical economic topics.