Masrour Barzani Highlights Need to Resolve Oil Export Issues in Ankara Meeting with Erdogan
Peregraf
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today to discuss vital regional and economic issues. Barzani emphasized the need to resolve longstanding disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government of Iraq in accordance with Iraq’s constitution and highlighted the importance of removing obstacles to oil exports from the region.
“We stressed the importance of resolving issues on the basis of the constitution and removing barriers to oil exports,” Barzani stated following the meeting.
The discussions also covered recent developments in Iraq, Syria, and the wider region. “We agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, security, and the rights of all communities,” Barzani added.
Before his meeting with Erdogan, Barzani held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, leader of New Generation Movement (NGM), and Salahaddin Bahadin, Secretary General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), have also engaged in discussions with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Noah Yilmaz in Ankara. The meetings are part of broader efforts to address regional Kurdish issues, including the Kurdish question in West Kurdistan, resuming the peace process in Turkey, and restarting oil exports through Turkish pipelines.
Kurdish Politicians in Ankara: Engaged in High-Level Diplomatic Talks
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Economic Losses and Diplomatic Efforts
Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have been halted since March 2023, following an International Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of Iraq in a dispute with Turkey. The suspension has resulted in approximately $23 billion in losses for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, severely impacting their economies.
The halt in oil exports has become a critical issue for both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, prompting urgent international discussions. On January 3, Barzani spoke with Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Affairs, to address the economic and political repercussions of the suspension. Barzani stressed the need for swift action to remove barriers to exports, citing the harm to Iraq’s economy and budget.
“The suspension continues to harm Iraq’s economy,” Barzani said. He also reiterated the KRG’s financial rights under the constitution and the Kurdistan Region’s role in advancing energy independence and regional stability.
The ongoing dispute between Baghdad and Erbil over oil revenue-sharing agreements and contract terms with international oil companies (IOCs) remains unresolved. Baghdad seeks to transition from production-sharing agreements to service contracts, a move resisted by many IOCs operating in the Kurdistan Region.
Efforts to amend Iraq’s budget law are considered a critical step toward resolving these disputes. The coming weeks are expected to be pivotal as legislative and diplomatic initiatives aim to restore stability to Iraq’s oil sector and rebuild trust among international industry stakeholders.
Barzani’s meeting with Erdogan underscores the strategic importance of the Kurdistan Region’s energy resources and its role in regional cooperation.