KRG Lawmaker Details Baghdad-Erbil Salary, Oil Negotiations

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A Kurdistan Region parliament member said Iraq's federal and regional governments are working to resolve disputes over salaries and other financial matters, with joint negotiation committees continuing their efforts. Hrim Kemal Ağa, a member of the Kurdistan Patriotic Union, said the main outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil concern the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees and broader fiscal matters. He said the governments previously agreed that the Kurdistan Region would transfer 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenue to the federal government each month and export 230,000 barrels of oil daily. Kemal Ağa said these agreements must be implemented without additional conditions, and any discrepancies in the agreed amounts require clarification. He said salary payments must continue and adherence to existing agreements is necessary to address financial problems. He added that Iraq is moving toward approving the 2027 budget, and that the current fiscal arrangement may continue for 2026 rather than a new budget being drafted. Kemal Ağa also said vacant ministerial positions in Prime Minister Ali Zeidi's government would be filled after parliament's summer recess.