Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to the Turkish port of Ceyhan will recommence following a new agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad on Tuesday.
The deal was unveiled during a joint press conference in Baghdad with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Iraqi Premier Mohammad Shia’ Al-Sudani.
“This is a significant deal for the people of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” PM Barzani stated, congratulating the people of Kurdistan and the entire country.
The Kurdish premier highlighted that the agreement should serve as a “foundation” for future collaboration and understanding between the two governments. He emphasized that the deal was reached without compromising their constitutional rights and expressed gratitude to the key figures and the KRG delegation involved in the negotiations.
PM Barzani also thanked Al-Sudani for his cooperation, noting that the deal is “temporary” until a hydrocarbon bill is passed in the Iraqi parliament. He remained confident about its implementation.
PM Al-Sudani confirmed that the agreement, in line with the Iraqi constitution, would be effective immediately.
Following the meeting, Barzani tweeted: “We have secured a deal that respects our rights under the constitution and puts the country on a stronger footing.” He also commended Al-Sudani for his leadership and dedication to fostering a new cooperative era between Erbil and Baghdad.
The resumption of oil exports comes ten days after Ankara halted the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports, following a Paris-based International Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of Baghdad.
The Iraqi premier urged for a collective effort to support the new deal’s implementation, a product of multiple rounds of negotiations between the two sides, said Al-Sudani.
