Izzat Sabir, Undersecretary of the Iraqi Oil Ministry for Gas Affairs, said the oil export agreement is long-term, noting that “if SOMO sells oil of the Kurdistan Region, it would generate significantly higher revenue.”

In remarks to Channel8, Sabir stated that the tripartite agreement, which was announced on 25 September, is "important for the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and companies."

He highlighted that due to the agreement, most of the Kurdistan's oil goes to European markets.

Budget and Salaries Secured

“It is the right of the Kurdistan Region to defend its budget and entitlements,” the Undersecretary stressed.

According to him, Baghdad sends about one trillion dinars to Erbil every month. In return, the federal government will receive about $400 million from the sale of oil in Kurdistan.

Pointing out that if Iraq sells oil, it will send twice as much money to the Kurdistan Region, Sabir Emphasized that “after oil exports, salaries are no longer linked to political issues.”

'Companies are Paid Oil for their financial entitlements'

Regarding the demands and issues raised by oil companies operating in the Kurdish Region, he affirmed that "companies are paid oil for their financial entitlements."

Kirkuk Oil Pipeline Planned

Sabir further confirmed that Kirkuk oil will be transported to Ceyhan port via the Kurdistan pipeline in the future.