At a Glance:

• Ammar al-Hakim calls for candid dialogue to resolve pending Erbil-Baghdad issues.
• Emphasizes constitutional decentralization as a necessity for stable governance.
• Prioritizes settling oil, gas, and mutual financial obligations.
• Reaffirms commitments during a high-level meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.

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During an official visit to the Kurdistan Region, Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Alliance of Nation State Forces, called for resolving long-standing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad through strong political will and direct, candid dialogue. Al-Hakim highlighted that resetting mutual relations requires settling key financial commitments and energy disputes within the framework of constitutional decentralization.

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Key Statements and Focus Area:

• Political Will and Dialogue: "Resolving the financial and oil disputes between the Regional Government and the Central Government requires strong political will and direct dialogue," stated Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the National State Forces Alliance.
• Constitutional Decentralization: "Developing the system and concept of decentralization is a constitutional necessity, with local governments serving as the true representation of this principle," affirmed al-Hakim during his address.
• Scientific Roadmap: "Research centers and universities must be involved in formulating a scientific roadmap to address and reset these issues to zero," al-Hakim emphasized regarding structural policy solutions.

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Promoting Dialogue and Mutual Understandings

During his two-day visit to Erbil, Ammar al-Hakim engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at overcoming political deadlocks between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). He stressed that historical disputes can only be dissolved through transparent communication, political flexibility, and a shared commitment to national cohesion.

Strengthening Constitutional Decentralization

Al-Hakim advocated for advancing constitutional decentralization as an operational necessity rather than a political compromise. He noted that empowered local governance structures, alongside strong institutional support from academic and research bodies, are essential to crafting workable, scientifically backed policies that permanently address the regional budget and governance disputes.

Addressing the Oil and Financial Files

Settling the hydrocarbon framework and clear budgetary transfers remains the primary focus of political efforts between Erbil and Baghdad. Al-Hakim urged both federal and regional authorities to reset financial obligations on clear constitutional grounds to ensure sustainable economic stability for citizens across all provinces.

FYI

Tensions surrounding financial allocations, civil servant salary disbursements, and oil export mechanics have periodically strained relations between Baghdad and Erbil. Al-Hakim’s visit comes amid broader national initiatives within the ruling coalition to enact foundational structural laws, most notably the national Oil and Gas Draft Law, to permanently establish revenue-sharing formulas and clear jurisdictional boundaries between the central government and regional authorities.

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