ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation to Baghdad on Tuesday, expressing hope that amendments to the Iraqi budget law would address the long-standing issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, the KRG delegation provided a briefing on their recent discussions and meetings in Baghdad. 

The meeting focused particularly on the preparation of the federal budget law and ensuring that the salaries and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region are secured.

PM Barzani expressed his gratitude to the members of the delegation, as well as the technical teams of the KRG, for their professional and diligent efforts in handling the discussions. 

He emphasized the importance of the upcoming vote on the federal budget law, expressing hope that it would pave the way for resolving other outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad have been marked by disputes over the sharing of financial resources, particularly the allocation of funds for the Kurdistan Region’s salaries and entitlements. 

The federal budget law has been a critical point of contention, with the Kurdistan Region seeking a fair share to cover public sector wages and other vital expenditures. 

Efforts to resolve these financial disagreements have included several rounds of negotiations over the years, with both sides expressing a willingness to find solutions that promote stability and cooperation.