A Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) negotiating delegation met with Iraqi President Barham Salih on Thursday, December 17, in Baghdad, during which they discussed the importance of reaching constitutionally-sound solutions to the budget disagreements between the KRG and the federal government.
Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Bashir al-Haddad and the heads of the Kurdish factions in Iraq’s parliament were also present, according to a statement released by President’s office.
During the meeting, the participants agreed on the importance of improving the economy in order to benefit the people of the Kurdistan Region and its public sector workers.
Earlier in the day, Salih met with a group of teachers and protesters who had participated in the recent round of demonstrations in Sulaimani to hear their perspectives on the KRG’s handling of the crisis.
On Wednesday, the KRG delegation met with Speaker of the Council of Representatives Muhammad al-Halbusi, his two deputies, and several committee chairs to discuss the ongoing talks over the budget and finances.
The delegation has been in Baghdad since last week.
Tensions between the two governments came to a head in April when Baghdad cut off all funding to the KRG following Erbil’s fifteen-month refusal to send oil to the federal government as it was required to under the 2019 Federal Budget Law.
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