Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesman Peshawa Hawramani said disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over revenue sharing should be resolved by adhering to the law, stressing that the issue of oil exports is between the oil companies and the federal government.

Speaking to Channel8 in an interview, Hawramani stated that the Kurdistan Region is ready to share revenues under Federal Financial Management Act No. 6 and Federal Budget Law No. 13.

“We agree to share the revenue in this way,” he noted. However, he added that the Iraqi Finance Minister has recently proposed receiving 100 percent of the revenue and does not consider herself bound by the law.

According to him, the proposal has been rejected by the Iraqi prime minister and other ministers, who insist that the matter must be addressed according to the law.

Spokesman Emphasizes Separation of Revenue Issues From Political Interests

He emphasized that the two governments must comply with laws relating to revenue in order to resolve their disputes without mixing the issue with personal views or political intentions.

The spokesman affirmed that Kurdistan delegations, whether technical or high-level, will continue to negotiate with Baghdad to reach a solution on the financial entitlements of Kurdistan Region employees.

“For us, the oil issue, the non-oil revenue issue, and the salary issue are all one package,” he stressed, noting that it is important to pay the remaining six months of salaries owed to public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region.

He further confirmed that there is “a rapprochement and understanding between both sides on the issue of domestic revenue.”

Oil Dispute Remains Between Companies and Federal Government

Regarding the issue of oil, he stressed that the dispute remains between the oil companies and the federal government. “We have a good understanding with SOMO,” he highlighted.

Hawramani underlined that although an agreement was reached with the federal government on the oil issue, it has not been fully implemented. He said talks between the Iraqi side and the oil companies are ongoing, while emphasizing the need to consider the situation of salaried employees in the Kurdistan Region.

KRG Urges Federal Government to Use Erbil’s Proposal as Basis

His remarks came as the KRG Council of Ministers convened and urged Baghdad to use Erbil’s proposal “as a basis for resolving the issue of non-oil revenues based on federal laws and the decision of the Federal Court, so as not to be an obstacle to the payment of salaries and financial entitlements of the region’s employees.”

The cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources to intensify efforts with oil companies to resolve outstanding issues and remove any obstacles.