Peregraf
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has stressed that the core dispute between Erbil and Baghdad is political rather than technical, as a high-level KRG delegation continues negotiations in the Iraqi capital over delayed salary payments and unresolved constitutional issues.
"Our problem with the federal government is political, not technical," Barzani said during a meeting with members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). "The KRG delegation is currently in Baghdad to resolve the issue of salary cuts as soon as possible."
Barzani reaffirmed that Iraq is a federal state and that the Kurdistan Region enjoys a constitutional status that must be recognized. "The powers and constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region must be respected. The Region will never give up any of its constitutional rights," he stated.
He also underscored the role of the KDP in defending Kurdish rights. "The KDP, led by President Barzani, is the first and foremost defender of the rights and demands of the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Strengthening the KDP is the strengthening of Kurdistan," he said.
Meanwhile, a senior KRG delegation led by the Minister of Natural Resources arrived in Baghdad on Monday to hold intensive discussions with federal officials. According to a source familiar with the talks, the meetings will revolve around a new proposal from the federal government that aims to resolve long-standing disputes over oil exports, budget shares, and financial entitlements.
The visit comes amid growing public frustration in the Kurdistan Region, where civil servants have yet to receive their May and June salaries. Baghdad has conditioned the release of funds on the KRG’s compliance with budget provisions, including handing over oil revenues and boosting non-oil income contributions.
Both sides have recently expressed cautious optimism about reaching an agreement. Officials close to the negotiations told Peregraf that Monday’s talks could prove decisive and potentially lead to a breakthrough in the coming days.