Hawrami: Kurdistan delegation visits Baghdad to discuss relations with Erbil and the impending referendum

Hemin Hawrami held a meeting with UNAMI official Masaaki Watanabe for talks on the current developments in the Kurdistan region, its relationship with the Iraqi government and other topics of mutual interest.

The Head of KDP's Foreign Relations Office said a delegation from Kurdistan is visiting Baghdad for a round of talks attempting to resolve the outstanding problems between both sides. Tensions have been rising since the federal government suspended civil salaries and Kurdistan's share of the oil budget; which it has had ample chances to resolve the disputes but has failed. The likelihood of a Kurdish referendum will also be a focal topic in their talks.

Mr Hawrami stressed that the region has been suffering from an economic crisis as a result of the declining prices of oil and mentioned the loan application Iraq has made from the International Monetary Fund that a share must be passed to Kurdistan.

For his part, Mr Watanabe expressed thanks to the KRG and the people of Kurdistan for tolerating a vast amount of refugees amid the financial crisis and asked all parties to find solutions to the long-standing problems.