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Iraqi Parliament faces challenges in passing key laws amid disputes

https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-Parliament-faces-challenges-in-passing-key-laws-amid-disputes

Https://channel8.com/english/29180

Iraqi Parliament to Vote on Kurdistan Oil Budget Amendments Amid Shia Opposition, Says Member to Channel8

Https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/820160/iraqi-fm-discusses-bps-potential-role-in-kurdistan-region-oil-sector

Touching on the ongoing challenges between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Hussein noted, “Before we reached Baghdad to convey the message of the KRG, the message was received through media outlets.”

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed on Thursday that British Petroleum (BP) has expressed interest in exploring opportunities in the Kurdistan Region's oil fields. Speaking to Kurdistan24, Hussein stated, “I have spoken to British Petroleum, and they have promised to come to the Kurdistan Region to discuss working in the oil fields with top officials.”

During his remarks, Hussein also addressed key topics discussed during recent meetings in London. He clarified that the talks did not focus on refugee issues but rather on individuals denied residency status and the handling of Iraqi nationals imprisoned abroad after serving their sentences.

Touching on the ongoing challenges between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Hussein noted, “Before we reached Baghdad to convey the message of the KRG, the message was received through media outlets.”

Hussein also commented on a proposal to withdraw Kurdish representatives from Baghdad, stating that while the idea has been suggested, “it needs to be studied, and no decision has been made yet.”

The issue of civil servant salaries for the Kurdistan Region was another critical topic. Hussein emphasized that the problem is longstanding and requires gradual resolution. “There is no alternative but to address it,” he said.

On the contentious matter of oil exports, Hussein remarked that if the Iraqi parliament approves the budget law, it would provide a temporary solution. However, he stressed the need for comprehensive reform. “The oil issue must be addressed with a new oil law,” he added.

The remarks highlight ongoing efforts to bridge differences between Baghdad and Erbil while addressing economic and political challenges that impact the region's stability and development.

Https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-Speaker-blames-political-blocs-for-sessions-delays-urges-action

Https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-Parliament-forms-committee-to-monitor-Kurdistan-s-financial-entitlements

Https://channel8.com/english/29100

Https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/820100/krg-reaffirms-commitment-to-agreements-with-baghdad-krg-official

Biden Administration Calls for ‘Timely’ Formation of new Kurdish Government; Resolution of Baghdad Financial Disputes

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/820060/biden-administration-calls-for-timely-formation-of-new-kurdish-government-resolution-of-baghdad-financial-disputes

“Kurdistan will not lose control over Khurmala oil field and all oil field in the disputed areas will be managed mutually,” Acting Minister Mohammed emphasized.”

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region will continue to operate its oil fields, including those in the disputed areas, per the Iraqi constitution that safeguards the region’s sovereignty over its resources, Kamal Mohammed, the Acting Minister of Natural Resources told Kurdistan24.

“Kurdistan will not lose control over Khurmala oil field and all oil field in the disputed areas will be managed mutually,” Acting Minister Mohammed emphasized.”

Mohammed also addressed the issue of illegal refineries, which have been a significant concern for both the environment and local communities. According to the minister, there are currently only three legal refineries operating in the Kurdistan Region, while 158 illegal refineries are present in Erbil, 50 in Dohuk, and 21 in Sulaymani.

As part of the broader effort to strengthen regulatory oversight, the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) plans to boost enforcement of environmental protection laws and ensure that only compliant refineries are allowed to operate.

The KRG’s crackdown on illegal refineries has significant implications for the local economy. Illegal refineries, which often operate without the necessary infrastructure or oversight, have contributed to environmental degradation and posed a challenge for local businesses.

Mohammed's comments come amid a broader context of tensions between Erbil and Baghdad over oil and natural resources. The KRG has long asserted its right to control oil production independently from the Iraqi federal government, leading to ongoing disputes over oil revenue sharing and resource management.

The government's firm stance on managing oil resources reflects its broader strategy of maintaining economic autonomy while addressing the region's pressing environmental concerns. This approach aligns with the KRG's efforts to position Kurdistan as a stable and sustainable player in the oil sector, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges and internal disputes over resource management.

ERBIL – The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Legal Office has firmly stated that any oil and gas contracts signed unilaterally by the Iraqi federal government in the disputed areas of Article 140, particularly in Kirkuk, are unconstitutional.

Bakhtiar Haider emphasized that under the Iraqi constitution, the extraction, sale, and investment of oil in these areas must be done in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Speaking to BasNews on Wednesday, Haider condemned the Iraqi government's attempts to sign contracts on oil and gas in Kirkuk, calling them a direct violation of the constitution and detrimental to the rights of the Kurdish people. He warned that such actions undermine the rights of the KRG and could escalate the ongoing constitutional dispute.

“This is a constitutional issue, and the Federal Court should play its role in halting Baghdad's actions regarding Kirkuk’s oil,” Haider said. He further stressed that the KRG has the legal right to challenge these efforts through international channels, including the United Nations or international courts.

The KDP's statement aligns with a recent declaration from the Kurdistan Regional Government, which reiterated its stance on the constitutional framework governing oil and gas management in disputed areas. On January 13, the KRG pointed out that the Iraqi government had failed to hold a referendum in Kirkuk and surrounding areas, as required by Article 140 of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution.

The KRG's statement also highlighted Articles 110, 112, and 115 of the constitution, which grant the Kurdistan Region the exclusive right to manage newly discovered oil and gas fields, and require joint management with the federal government for previously discovered fields like those in Kirkuk.

The KRG reiterated its commitment to upholding its constitutional rights and emphasized that it will take all necessary measures to protect the people of Kurdistan, including pursuing legal actions against the federal government’s unilateral oil contracts.

As tensions rise over these oil disputes, the KRG remains firm in its position, urging the federal government to respect constitutional agreements and the legitimate demands of the Kurdish people.

Https://channel8.com/english/28995

APIKUR Spokesman Told Channel8 They Haven’t Received Official Notice on Oil Production Cost Increase in Kurdistan

Daban Mohammed. January 15

The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) has not yet received official notification from the Iraqi Oil Ministry about the increase in oil production costs in the Kurdistan Region, even though the increase was approved more than two months ago.

On November 5, 2024, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved an amendment to Article 12 of the Iraqi budget, raising the cost of oil production from $6 to $16.

APIKUR spokesman Myles Caggins told Channel8 that they have not been officially informed and only learned about the increase from the media. “The increase in production costs requires a scientific assessment and must be in line with the reality of the oil fields,” he said.

Caggins noted that each company operating in the Kurdistan Region has different operational policies and contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government, so any decisions should be made in consultation with the companies.

He also expressed that discussions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad are essential to ensure the payment of companies’ financial entitlements, stating that the $1 billion debt of companies, along with their future financial entitlements, should be “away from the political struggle between the two governments.”

APIKUR, which consists of eight major international oil companies and controls 60 percent of Kurdistan’s oil production, had previously received $26 per barrel from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

However, since the suspension of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, APIKUR now produces 250,000 barrels of oil per day for local refineries.

The amendment to Article 12 of the Iraqi budget law is currently in the Iraqi Parliament, with the second reading of the bill held on December 13, 2025.

Https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/872274

ERBIL — Hadi Al-Amiri, Iraqi politician and head of the Fatah Alliance, said there are no issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government, adding that the issue of the Region’s oil production costs will soon be voted on in the Iraqi parliament.

Speaking about the Kurdistan Region, Amiri confirmed that an amendment to the federal general budget law for 2023, 2024, and 2025 has been approved. He noted that oil production costs in Kurdistan were set at $8 per barrel in 2023 but stated, “Our brothers in the Kurdistan Region said this amount is low, and the federal government has since amended it,” as reported by Kurdistan 24.

Amiri expressed optimism about resolving the matter, saying, “I think this issue will be resolved and voted on in parliament. We do not see a problem between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government, and we are committed to finding solutions to all issues.”

The Iraqi parliament announced that it has completed the report and second reading of the amendment to the budget law. A second debate on the draft amendment was scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2025.

A statement from parliament confirmed that the draft First Amendment Act of the Federal General Budget Law for the fiscal years 2023-2024-2025 (No. 13 of 2023) has undergone discussion, though no further details were provided.

The amendment focuses on adjusting the cost of oil production in the Kurdistan Region. Previously, on December 4, 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani attended a parliamentary session to discuss the amendment. He urged lawmakers to vote on changes to the Kurdistan Region’s oil sector, warning, “The longer the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports are delayed, the more damage we will suffer.”

Efforts to amend the budget law have been ongoing, with the first reading completed on November 26, 2024. The discussions reflect the federal government’s determination to address long-standing financial disputes with the Kurdistan Region.

The latest emphasis by Iraq's Parliament Speaker on establishing a Federal Council signifies a central development in Iraq's constitutional evolution and carries noteworthy implications for Iraq’s federal structure.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/819711/iraqi-parliament-speaker-emphasizes-need-for-federal-council-calls-for-legislative-action

(Good to know that, still there are some thinking about the country)

Significant Steps Taken for KRG Oil Exports Resumption: Official

14/01/2025 - 13:05

ERBIL – The Kurdistan Regional Presidency (KRP) has reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region's commitment to the resumption of oil exports and emphasized that the Region has fulfilled all its obligations in a transparent and lawful manner.

Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the KRP, addressed the media on Monday, stating that significant steps have been taken to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, following a period of suspension.

Shahab confirmed that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has met all requirements under the agreements, and that the region is fully prepared to restart oil exports.

"It was explained to all parties that the Kurdistan Region is ready and that the KRG has fulfilled all its obligations according to the law," Shahab said at a news conference. He further clarified that both the KRG and the Iraqi federal government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, have agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and meetings to resolve the matter.

The suspension of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region has led to substantial losses for the Iraqi treasury. Since March 2023, oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted following a ruling by a Paris-based arbitration court.

The court found that Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing the Kurdistan Region to export oil independently since 2014. The suspension of these exports has been estimated to have cost the Iraqi economy around $15 million.

The KRG's announcement comes as both Erbil and Baghdad continue to negotiate the resumption of oil exports, with the federal government and the KRG aiming to reach an agreement that will ensure both sides benefit from the vital oil revenues.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/872242

Https://x.com/zoomnewskrd/status/1878877482776199256

Following his meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Hadi al-Amiri prominent Shiite politician expressed hope for the swift resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. He emphasized the importance of passing the Iraqi Budget Law amendment, which addresses production and transportation costs for oil companies in the region. Al-Amiri stressed that the resumption of 400,000 daily barrels from Kurdistan’s oil fields would bring significant revenue benefits to Iraq.

Https://channel8.com/english/28897

The Iraqi parliament conducted the second reading of the budget law amendment concerning the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) oil on Monday.

A member of the parliament stated, “After receiving the comments of the members, the draft budget amendment will be put to a vote.”

Narmin Maarouf, a member of the Parliament Finance Committee, told Channel8, “The Iraqi parliament on Monday held a second reading of the budget amendment for Article 12 and the increase in oil expenditures from $6 to $16 per barrel.”

She explained that the Finance Committee presented the budget amendment to the parliament members, and while some members voiced their comments during the session, others are expected to submit written feedback to the Finance Committee in the coming days.

She added, “After receiving all the comments, the amendment will be prepared for a final reading and approval, with a vote scheduled, but the date has not yet been determined.”

The amendment to Article 12 addresses compensation for the cost of oil production and transportation in the Kurdistan Region.

On October 5, the Iraqi government agreed to increase the cost of extracting oil from $6 to $16 per barrel.

In December 2024, the Iraqi parliament conducted its first reading of the budget amendments for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Kurdistan-President-s-visit-to-Baghdad-moving-beyond-traditional-political-rhetoric

Https://x.com/john78846295/status/1878814744024592549

Https://x.com/zoomnewskrd/status/1878792040072245295

The Shiite Coordination Framework met at Ammar al-Hakim’s office in Baghdad, with leaders and lawmakers stressing security and military readiness to confront potential threats, underlining national unity in facing internal and external challenges, and agreeing to proceed with amendments to the Iraqi Budget Law for effective government service implementation - statement