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Deputy Prime Minister meets with Iraqi Parliament Deputy Speakers

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Baghdad, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government and head of the negotiating delegation, Qubad Talabani, today met with First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Hassan Al-Kaabi, and Second Deputy Speaker, Dr. Bashir Hadad.

Accompanied by the heads of both the PUK and KDP parliamentary blocs, Alla Talabani and Vian Sabri, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of ongoing talks with Baghdad and the need to strengthen cooperation between the two governments as they work to reach a mutually-beneficial agreement.

The Deputy Speaker, Hassan al-Kaabi, recognized the Kurdistan Regional Government efforts in presenting to the Iraqi Parliament all the necessary and relevant information regarding the region’s budget, revenues and expenditures, which are part of negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the 2021 federal budget bill

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Prime Minister Masrour Barzani meets with foreign representatives in Kurdistan Region

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Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today met with the consuls, foreign heads of mission, representatives, and diplomats based in the Kurdistan Region to discuss the situation in Iraq, the progress of the ninth cabinet’s reform plan, and relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s ongoing efforts to have a positive working relationship with the Federal Government and to resolve fundamental issues on the basis of the constitution. The Prime Minister underscored Erbil has fulfilled all its commitments toward Baghdad to open the path to an agreement that is in the interest of all Iraqi citizens. He stressed that it is necessary the issue of public salaries should neither be politicized nor used as a means of coercion against the Kurdistan Region by harming public service employees.

The Prime Minister also provided an update of the government’s efforts to diversifying the Kurdistan Region’s economy, expanding its sources of income, reducing expenditures, reorganizing its tax system, and facilitating processes for foreign and local investors. He noted the government continues to put forward every effort to pay the salaries of the Kurdistan Region’s employees despite current financial challenges.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the Kurdistan Region remains committed to playing a stabilising role in the region and is prepared to develop strong relations with neighboring countries and the international community. He also noted the importance of continuing cooperation and collaboration with the Kurdistan Region to counter the ongoing threat of terrorism.

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Council of Ministers convenes on 2021 Kurdistan Region budget bill

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Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss ongoing efforts to prepare the Kurdistan Region’s budget bill for the 2021 fiscal year.

Minister of Finance and Economy, Awat Sheik Janab, presented a report on the current financial situation in the Kurdistan Region, and briefed Cabinet members on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s 2021 budget draft.

Cabinet members discussed potential avenues to restructure government spending and revenue streams, reduce expenditures, and limit the estimated deficit this year. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing its reform agenda in an effort to increase public revenues.

Minister of Planning, Dara Rashid, jointly reported on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s investment budget for major service projects within the framework of the 2021 budget.

Following an exchange of views, the Council of Ministers approved a timeline for the 2021 budget bill. The Supreme Economic Council will meet next week to approve the first draft of the bill.

The Cabinet also tasked the Ministries of Interior and Peshmerga with forming a joint task force to prevent irregularities and smuggling at all border crossings in the Kurdistan Region.

Cabinet members stressed the importance of enforcing previous decisions which aimed to restructure service contracts for border crossing, in line with public interests and revenues.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated Kamal Atrushi on winning the confidence of the Kurdistani Parliament for his new role as Minister of Natural Resources, and wished him success in this post.